Propagation Profile Control for Low-Detection Radar Emissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EW systems do not effectively warn pilots of their own radar signature and provide actionable strategies to minimize detection by adversarial assets, and there is a need for real-time risk assessment and mitigation of electromagnetic emissions.

Innovation Solution

An emissions control apparatus that calculates propagation and adversary detection profiles, allowing users to visualize and adjust transmission characteristics to minimize detection probability, including features like storage means, a controller, display, and decision engine to suggest or perform mitigation actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If transmitters are switched off completely to reduce detection risk, then detection probability is reduced, but transmission capability and operational effectiveness are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection probabilityVSAvoidtransmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmitter operation based on real-time propagation profiles and adversary detection profiles. Instead of static on/off states, the system continuously modulates transmission parameters (power, frequency, timing) to operate in low-probability-of-detection modes while maintaining essential communication capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by making transmission capability adaptive rather than binary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple transmission parameters simultaneously (power level, frequency selection, pulse duration, duty cycle) to achieve low-probability-of-detection operation. By adjusting these parameters based on calculated profiles, the system maintains transmission capability while reducing detection risk, rather than simply switching transmitters off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If transmitters are kept on to maintain communication, then transmission capability is maintained, but detection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoiddetection probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic transmission patterns with varying duty cycles, switching between active and inactive states in a calculated sequence. This allows maintenance of transmission capability over time while reducing instantaneous detection probability through intermittent operation based on the propagation and detection profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits at reduced power levels or with reduced duty cycle (partial action) rather than full power continuous transmission. This maintains sufficient communication capability for operational needs while significantly reducing the detection probability, achieving a balance between the two conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If users are provided with detailed propagation profile information, then decision-making capability is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making capabilityVSAvoidprocessing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores propagation profiles and adversary detection profiles before transmission decisions are needed. This preliminary processing organizes complex environmental and adversary data into ready-to-use profiles, reducing real-time processing requirements while providing comprehensive information for decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The propagation profile and detection profile act as intermediary data structures that simplify the complex relationship between transmission parameters, environment, and adversary detection capability. These profiles mediate between raw data and decision-making, making the system more manageable while preserving detailed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3957041B1Path profile analysis
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP3957041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an emissions control apparatus for an entity. The emissions control apparatus comprises: storage means for storing transmission data relating to an entity; a controller configured to calculate a propagation profile for the entity based on at least the transmission data; and a display for displaying the propagation profile. The present invention also provides a method of controlling emissions.