Retro-Directional Transceiver for Tactical ECM Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic counter measure (ECM) systems consume substantial power due to their multiplicity of sub-systems operating over various frequency bands, requiring high Effective Radiated Power (ERP) and complex antenna configurations, which complicates housing and cooling, especially in aerodynamic containers.
Innovation Solution
A dual-band tactical ECM system incorporating a first retro-directional transceiver sub-system operating between the UHF and C frequency bands using a phased antenna array with blade antennas, and a second transceiver sub-system operating between the VHF and UHF bands with a digital transmitter, integrating RADAR and communication jamming, and employing a controller for resource management and phase shifting to reduce power consumption and simplify housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sub-systems are used to cover different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frequency band sub-systems (VHF, UHF, C-band) into a single integrated ECM system with a unified antenna array and shared signal processing resources. This merging approach maintains broad frequency coverage while reducing overall power consumption and device complexity compared to separate packaged sub-systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system employs universal components that can operate across multiple frequency bands. The antenna array and signal processing architecture are designed to handle VHF, UHF, and C-band frequencies simultaneously, allowing a single system to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate sub-systems.
2Reliability
If high ERP is used for effective jamming, then jamming effectiveness is improved, but power consumption and heat dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs phased array technology to concentrate jamming energy in specific directional beams toward threat sources rather than radiating energy uniformly in all directions. This localized energy concentration achieves effective jamming with lower total power consumption and reduced heat dissipation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pulse modulation and periodic scanning strategies to achieve effective jamming coverage. By transmitting jamming signals in controlled pulses and scanning different directions systematically, the system maintains jamming effectiveness while reducing average power consumption and heat generation compared to continuous high-power transmission.
3Measurement precision
If directional antennas or phased antenna arrays are used for signal re-transmission, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but device complexity and housing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the phased array antenna system with the signal processing subsystems into a unified architecture. The antenna elements are directly connected to the signal processing units, eliminating the need for separate complex antenna positioning and control mechanisms required by traditional directional antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical antenna positioning and physical beam steering with electronic phase shifting and digital signal processing. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic controls simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios through coherent signal combining.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate ECM pods are used to cover different frequency ranges, then frequency coverage is improved, but volume and housing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple frequency band coverage capabilities into a single integrated ECM pod rather than requiring separate pods for VHF, UHF, and C-band operations. This merging of functions into one housing reduces the total volume required while maintaining comprehensive frequency range coverage through shared antenna and processing resources.
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
The system achieves lower power consumption and reduced heat dissipation, allowing for more compact and efficient ECM systems suitable for self-protection and escort jamming applications, with reduced volume and power requirements, enabling effective jamming of RADAR and communication signals without needing precise antenna positioning.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first-band transceiver modules shifts a phase of an intermediate signal by a respective relative phase-shift and transmits the phase shifted intermediate signal via the respective antenna thereof
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first-band transceiver modules receives a source signal transmitted by an emitter during a reception period
Data Source
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AI summary
A tactical electronic counter measure system comprising a first retro-directional transceiver sub system, receiving signals at a first frequency band, and first retro-directional transceiver re transmitting a signal at least substantially toward the direction from which the sources signal was received, and first retro directional transceiver sub system including a plurality of blade antennas and a controller, coupled with and first retro-directional transceiver, and controller controlling the activity of and first retro directional transceiver sub system, and controller further managing the missions of and first retro directional transceiver sub system.