UAV Detection and Disablement via Acoustic RF Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for innovative technologies to detect and disable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near secure perimeters without causing collateral damage in urban or suburban environments, as existing methods are either too costly or potentially damaging.
Innovation Solution
The use of inexpensive acoustic and RF detection and localization technologies, combined with optical tracking, to accurately identify and track UAVs, followed by the deployment of harmless short-range projectiles or defense UAVs to neutralize the threat without causing harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-powered electromagnetic radiation or loud sound waves are used to disable UAVs, then the UAV can be disabled, but collateral damage to persons or structures may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic and acoustic energy systems with a mechanical projectile system. Instead of using high-powered electromagnetic radiation or loud sound waves that cause collateral damage, the system uses mechanically propelled projectiles (such as water-filled balloons, foam projectiles, or non-lethal rounds) to physically disable UAVs by damaging propellers, motors, or other critical components without causing harmful effects to surrounding persons or structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the disablement mechanism from high-energy electromagnetic/acoustic fields to low-energy mechanical projectiles with controlled mass and velocity. By adjusting projectile properties (material, size, speed, composition), the system achieves reliable UAV disablement while maintaining safety parameters for surrounding environments, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and collateral damage.
2Measurement precision
If large directional antennas (such as parabolic RADAR dish or phased array) are used to locate UAVs accurately, then location precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large directional antenna system into multiple smaller antenna elements arranged in an array. By segmenting the antenna system into multiple manageable elements that can be independently controlled and processed, the patent achieves high location precision through signal processing techniques (such as beamforming or phase comparison) without requiring a single large complex antenna structure, thus reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using a single large antenna in one dimension to using multiple smaller antennas distributed across a two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve equivalent or superior location precision through spatial distribution and signal processing, rather than relying on the size of a single antenna element.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional RADAR or electromagnetic detection techniques are used to detect UAVs, then detection capability is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for urban areas due to cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electromagnetic detection systems (such as conventional RADAR) with simpler acoustic and optical detection methods. By using acoustic sensors to detect the sound of rotating propellers and optical sensors to track UAV movement, the system achieves effective UAV detection in urban environments without the high cost and complexity of electromagnetic detection systems, making the technology accessible for civilian and municipal use.
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
Enables the accurate detection and disablement of UAVs with minimal cost and collateral damage, ensuring the security of facilities while preventing unauthorized aerial surveillance or contraband delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic detection aspect of the present invention takes advantage of the fact that the rotor wings or propellers of quadracopters and other UAVs available on today's hobby market continuously generate sound with a well characterized frequency spectrum while propelling the UAV and/or keeping it airborne.
Implementation Method 2
When locating sources of electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) radiation (whether such radiation is primary emitted radiation such as might be emitted from a video-camera-equipped UAV)
Data Source
AI summary
A preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for detection and disablement of an unidentified aerial vehicle (UAV) includes arrays of antenna elements receiving in two modalities (for instance radio frequency (RF) and acoustic modalities, or RF and optical modalities). Signal processing of outputs from multiple antenna arrays locates a potential UAV at specific coordinates within a volume of space under surveillance, and automatically aims video surveillance and a short-range projectile launcher at the UAV, and may automatically fire the projectile launcher to down the UAV.