Mechanically Steered Direction Finding for UAV Jammer Geolocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges with reduced RF signal reception due to intentional or unintentional RF interference, which can disrupt control and communication, especially in low-to-medium altitude airspace with contested environments.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight communication resilient direction finder and geolocation device that mechanically steers an antenna system to maintain a static null across a wide bandwidth, using an inertial measurement unit to determine null directions and triangulate the location of interference sources, integrating ECCM capabilities to mitigate signal jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical steering of antenna system is implemented to maintain null direction alignment, then RF interference mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system implements mechanical steering capability that allows dynamic adjustment of the null direction to track and maintain alignment with interference sources. The system can change the orientation of the antenna pattern in real-time to follow moving jammers, transforming a static antenna system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing interference conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic phase-array systems with a simpler mechanical steering approach. Instead of using multiple electronically controlled antenna elements to achieve beam steering, the system uses a single antenna element that is mechanically rotated to achieve the same null-direction alignment, significantly reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static null across wide bandwidth is maintained, then frequency adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the antenna by mechanically adjusting its orientation to different angles. By varying the physical orientation parameter of the antenna system, the null direction is steered to track interference sources across different frequencies and positions, achieving wide bandwidth adaptability through mechanical parameter changes rather than electronic tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed with universal applicability across wide frequency bands. A single antenna element with mechanical steering capability can operate effectively across the entire frequency range, eliminating the need for frequency-specific antenna designs or complex electronic reconfiguration, thereby achieving multi-functionality with simplified manufacturing requirements.
3Measurement precision
If triangulation method is used for geolocation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements by continuously tracking the null direction and recording the relationship between antenna orientation and interference source direction. This preliminary data collection enables rapid triangulation when geolocation is needed, as the system already has accumulated directional information from ongoing interference mitigation operations, reducing the time required for accurate location determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The triangulation process uses feedback from continuous null steering operations. As the mechanical system steers the antenna to maintain null alignment, it continuously measures directional information that is fed back into the geolocation algorithm. This feedback mechanism allows the system to accumulate precise directional data over time, improving measurement precision while the real-time nature of the feedback minimizes time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for operating a direction finder device. The methods comprise: mechanically steering an antenna system of a first platform at a first time such that a null of a first antenna pattern points in a first null direction towards an interference source; obtaining a first location of the first platform at the first time; mechanically steering the antenna system of the first platform at a second time such that the null of the first antenna pattern points in a second null direction towards the interference source (wherein the second direction is different than the first direction); obtaining a second location of the first platform at the second time, wherein the second location is different than the first location; and using the first location, the second location, the first null direction and the second null direction to determine a first estimated location of the interference source.