PRF Code Dongle for Laser-Guided Weapon Deconfliction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current U.S. Air Force laser-guided weapon policies do not provide for individual pulse repetition frequency (PRF) codes for ground-to-ground applications, leading to challenges in deconflicting weapon designations among soldiers and inadequate security in close combat environments.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for coordinating PRF codes in laser-guided applications by using a dongle that can be removably coupled to a projectile, loading a dongle code that identifies a PRF code, and ensuring secure authentication and authorization for each user and projectile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing U.S. Air Force laser-guided weapon policies are used, then device complexity is reduced, but individual soldiers cannot have their own PRF codes for deconfliction, leading to harmful interference in ground-to-ground applications
Solution Approach 1:
A portable code carrier device serves as an intermediary between the code management system and the laser-guided weapon. This mediator stores PRF codes and transmits them to the weapon system, enabling individual soldier code assignment without requiring complex centralized coordination infrastructure. The intermediary handles the complexity of code management while presenting a simple interface to the soldier and weapon.
2Reliability
If individual soldiers are assigned their own PRF codes, then weapon designation deconfliction is improved, but existing policies become impossible to use due to security and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Each soldier carries their own PRF codes on a portable code carrier, enabling self-service code assignment. The soldier independently loads their designated PRF code onto the weapon without requiring complex coordination with other soldiers or centralized authorization procedures. This self-service approach maintains reliable deconfliction while dramatically simplifying operational procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable code carriers are used, then code flexibility and security are improved, but device complexity increases due to interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The portable code carrier is designed with a universal interface that can be used across multiple laser-guided weapon platforms. The single code carrier design serves multiple functions: storing PRF codes, providing secure physical possession control, and interfacing with different weapon systems through a standardized connection. This universality reduces overall system complexity despite the added flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes removably coupling a projectile interface of a dongle to a dongle interface of a projectile. The method also includes loading a dongle code from the dongle onto the projectile. The dongle code identifies a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) code to be recognized by the projectile. The dongle code may be unique to an operator of the projectile. The method may further include, prior to loading the dongle code onto the projectile, loading an operator code onto the projectile, where the dongle code is loaded onto the projectile in response to the projectile authorizing the operator code. There may be a limited number of uses of the dongle code with different projectiles, and/or there may be a limited amount of time for using the dongle code. A companion electronic device may be used to authenticate the dongle.