Shared ECM Transceiver Multiplexing for Power Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional ECM systems consume excess hardware power due to independent data paths and processors for each transceiver, resulting in narrow operational bandwidth and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The ECM system employs a packet generator, packet switch, and control processor to convert and route signals into sequential packets, allowing simultaneous transmission of ECM signals across multiple sub-bands using a shared transceiver configuration, with GPS configuration and computer interface for optimized operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If independent data paths and processors are used for each transceiver, then threat processing capability is improved, but hardware power consumption increases and operational bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreat processing capabilityVSAvoidhardware power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple transceiver functions into a single shared transceiver that can be dynamically allocated to different frequency sub-bands. Instead of having separate independent transceivers for each sub-band, one transceiver is multiplexed across multiple sub-bands through time-division and frequency-division techniques, reducing hardware power consumption while maintaining the capability to process threats across multiple bands simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared transceiver is designed with universal functionality to operate across multiple frequency sub-bands. It can be reconfigured dynamically to monitor and process threats in different sub-bands as needed, making a single device perform the work of multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing overall power consumption while expanding operational bandwidth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If independent transceivers are used for each sub-band, then operational bandwidth is improved, but hardware cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational bandwidthVSAvoidhardware configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple transceiver functions are merged into a single shared transceiver platform. The system combines frequency-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing to allow one physical transceiver to handle multiple sub-bands, reducing hardware complexity and cost while maintaining broad operational bandwidth across all monitored sub-bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared transceiver employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities, allowing it to adaptively switch between different frequency sub-bands and operational modes in real-time. This dynamic allocation enables the system to cover a wide operational bandwidth without requiring static dedicated hardware for each band, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If separate transceivers are deployed for multiple sub-bands, then simultaneous threat monitoring is improved, but power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous threat monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple transceiver instances into a single shared transceiver that can simultaneously monitor multiple sub-bands through advanced signal processing and multiplexing techniques. This consolidation maintains the productivity of simultaneous threat monitoring across multiple sub-bands while dramatically reducing system cost by eliminating the need for multiple separate transceiver hardware units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2504941B1Digital multi-channel ECM transmitter and method
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 EXELIS INC
  • EP2504941B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2504941B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2504941B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

An electronic countermeasure (ECM) transceiver including a receiver for sequentially receiving a plurality of signals in respective frequency sub-bands. A processor sequentially receives the plurality of signals a nd identifies the received signals as threats. The processor then generates ECM signals based on the threats and sequentially outputs the ECM signals to a transmitter. The transmitter simultaneously transmits the ECM signals in the respective frequency sub-bands to address the threats.