Tethered Balloon Microphone Array for Long-Range Drone Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone detection systems using microphone fields carried by airships are limited by the ability to assess acoustic signals from only a single half-space, are prone to interference from propeller noise, and are vulnerable to detection and destruction in military scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A drone detection system utilizing engineless, tethered balloons with microphones and assessment units that are stabilized by wind, allowing for multiple microphones to determine drone direction and position without active propulsion, using GPS and angle sensors for positioning, and secure data transfer via tethered power and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a propeller-driven airship is used to carry microphones, then the microphone field can be maintained in a fixed position, but the propeller noise interferes with the acoustic signal and the system is vulnerable to detection and destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the propeller-driven mechanism from the system, extracting the harmful noise source while maintaining position stability through an alternative method. The microphone field is carried by a balloon without active propulsion, eliminating propeller noise interference with the acoustic signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple balloon structure instead of a complex propeller-driven airship. The balloon is a lightweight, inexpensive carrier that can be easily deployed and discarded after use, reducing the risk of detection and destruction while maintaining the microphone field's position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a propeller-driven airship is used to carry microphones, then the microphone field can be maintained in a fixed position, but the system requires active propulsion which increases complexity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the propeller-driven mechanism from the system, extracting the harmful noise source while maintaining position stability through an alternative method. The microphone field is carried by a balloon without active propulsion, eliminating propeller noise interference with the acoustic signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon utilizes atmospheric conditions (wind and buoyancy) to maintain its position and carry the microphone field, rather than requiring active propulsion. The system is self-sustaining, using environmental forces to achieve its objectives without additional energy input or complex mechanical systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If microphones are placed on the ground for drone detection, then the system is simple to deploy, but the detection range is limited and the system is vulnerable to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the microphone field from ground level to aerial position by carrying it on a balloon. This dimensional change enables the system to detect drones at larger distances and reduces vulnerability to ground-based jamming, while maintaining deployment simplicity through the use of a straightforward balloon carrier.
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 provides reliable, wide-area drone detection with reduced vulnerability to jamming and destruction, enabling accurate positioning and detection of drones at large distances with minimal energy consumption and simple, cost-effective components.
Implementation Method 1
The balloon is a body filled with gas that is lighter than the ambient atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
detection by means of microphones, which capture the noise in the space and determine the direction of the source of the noise on the basis of lag of arrival of sound wave
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
The microphone (6) is carried by the balloon (1) which is bound to the point (2) of binding by means of the rope (5) which aside from its mechanical function preferably also serves the function of data transfer or even an energy transfer. The microphone (6) is placed within a hung unit (4). The hung unit (4) is equipped by a stabilizer, preferably the stabilizer includes a stabilizing surface (8) and/or the stabilizing body (9). The device has an element to determine the actual position, the element can include a sensor of the slope beta of the axis X of attachment against the horizontal plane, and the sensor of angular position alpha between north - south orientation and the projection of the axis X of the attachment to the horizontal plane.