Network-Centric Directed Energy System Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional directed energy systems are limited by their point-to-point architecture, which requires a clear line of sight and is platform-centric, making them ineffective in situations where a clear line of sight is difficult to maintain and imposing excessive weight and power requirements on platforms.
Innovation Solution
A network-centric directed energy system that distributes energy sources across multiple platforms, using incoherent optical sources with individual beam control modules to monitor and adjust optical beams, allowing for cumulative effect on a target without the need for high-power, high-weight equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct, point to point architecture is used for directed energy systems, then the system can effectively communicate with targets, but a clear line of sight is required which is difficult to obtain in tactical battlefield situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the directed energy function across multiple platforms, each equipped with its own optical source and control equipment. This allows the system to bypass obstacles by using multiple distributed sources rather than requiring a single clear line of sight path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary platforms that can relay or generate optical beams to reach targets when direct line of sight is blocked. These intermediate nodes act as mediators to maintain communication effectiveness without requiring direct visibility between the original source and target.
2Power
If a platform hosts a directed energy system with high energy equipment, then the system can deliver sufficient energy to targets, but the platform must carry heavy equipment including power sources, tracking systems, and operating hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the high-power directed energy function into multiple smaller optical sources distributed across different platforms. Each platform carries lighter equipment with lower power requirements, but the cumulative effect of multiple sources achieves the desired energy delivery to the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the output of multiple optical sources from different platforms to achieve cumulative energy effect at the target. By merging the capabilities of multiple lightweight systems, the overall power delivery matches or exceeds that of a single heavy platform-based system.
3Ease of operation
If a single platform carries all equipment for a directed energy system, then the system has centralized control, but the platform cannot always support high energy equipment and associated devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the directed energy functionality into distributed optical sources across multiple platforms, each with its own beam discriminator and control system. This segmentation allows platforms with limited support capabilities to participate in the system without needing to carry heavy high-energy equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where beam discriminators on each platform monitor their own optical beams and provide information back to control systems. This distributed feedback approach maintains operational control while adapting to the specific capabilities of each platform in the network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective energy delivery to targets even without a clear line of sight and reduces the burden on platforms by distributing energy sources, allowing for efficient and accurate control of optical beams.
Implementation Method 1
energy specifically implies energy that is transferred by the propagation of electro-magnetic radiation. An example of a directed energy system operating at a platform is a laser source emitting a laser beam.
Implementation Method 2
a beam discriminator module configured to monitor a parameter for each optical beam generated from each of the optical source
Implementation Method 3
a position sensor configured to receive a feedback from the beam discriminator module based on the monitored parameter; wherein based on the feedback, the position sensor determines if any optical beam at the target is off-target
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided where the system comprises a plurality of optical sources, each optical source configured to generate an optical beam and direct the optical beam from each of the plurality of optical sources towards a target; a beam discriminator module configured to monitor a parameter for each optical beam generated from each of the optical source; and a position sensor configured to receive a feedback from the beam discriminator module based on the monitored parameter; wherein based on the feedback, the position sensor determines if any optical beam at the target is off-target.