Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Missile Defense Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Military and civilian aircraft are vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles (Manpads) during take-off and landing, particularly due to the older analog electronics used in these missiles, which pose a significant threat and require effective defense mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using electromagnetic interference radiation, tailored to specific frequency ranges and pulse patterns, to disrupt the control systems of Manpads, including continuous wave, pulsed, and frequency-swept radiation, which can be directed and tracked to neutralize the threat without requiring identification of the missile type, utilizing an arbitrary waveform generator and phase-controlled antenna systems for efficient power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If continuous wave radiation is used to disrupt missiles, then long-range interference is achieved with low field strength requirements, but high power requirement is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference rangeVSAvoidpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pulsed electromagnetic radiation instead of continuous wave radiation. By transmitting energy in periodic pulses with optimized duration and repetition frequency, the system achieves the same disruptive effect on missile electronics with significantly reduced average power consumption while maintaining effective interference range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters of the electromagnetic radiation including pulse duration, repetition frequency, and field strength. By carefully adjusting these parameters based on the specific missile target and environmental conditions, the system achieves maximum disruption effect with minimum power requirement, resolving the contradiction between range and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If electromagnetic interference radiation is used to disrupt Manpads, then guidance and control systems are disrupted, but identification of missile type is required for optimal effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefense effectivenessVSAvoidmissile identification requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal electromagnetic interference system that can effectively disrupt multiple types of ManPADS without requiring specific identification of the missile type. The system uses broad-spectrum radiation and optimized pulse parameters that exploit common vulnerabilities in analog control electronics across different missile designs, making the defense system multi-functional and adaptable.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates pre-characterization data of various ManPADS obtained from public sources and laboratory tests. This preliminary information about resonance frequencies and electronic vulnerabilities is stored and used to pre-configure the interference parameters, allowing the system to be effectively ready before engagement without requiring real-time missile identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If resonance effects are exploited to disrupt missile electronics, then interference effectiveness is enhanced, but precise frequency matching is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference effectivenessVSAvoidfrequency matching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic frequency adjustment mechanism that continuously adapts the radiation frequency based on detected resonance responses from the target missile. The system scans through a range of frequencies and identifies the resonant frequency of the specific missile target, then optimizes the interference parameters around this frequency to achieve maximum disruption effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors the response of the missile's electronic systems to the applied electromagnetic radiation. By detecting changes in resonance behavior or disruption effectiveness, the system adjusts the radiation frequency and parameters in real-time to maintain optimal interference, compensating for variations in missile characteristics and environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach effectively disrupts the guidance and control systems of Manpads, allowing for defense against multiple missile types with optimized power usage, achieving long-range interference with minimal field strength requirements, even when the angle of incidence is uncertain, thereby enhancing aircraft safety during critical phases of flight.

Implementation Method 1

Depending on the frequency of the interference radiation, interference voltages with different amplitudes occur on the sensitive signal lines of the analog control electronics of the Manpads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

In addition, pronounced resonance effects occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP1895262B1Method and system for defence against ground-to-air missiles
Publication Date: 2012.05.16 DIEHL BGT DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1895262B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1895262B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP1895262B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The defense system against surface-to-air missiles for military and civilian aircraft, especially during take-off and landing, transmits electromagnetic radiation as microwaves or radio frequencies to disturb the missile. The system (10) has an arbitrary waveform generator (12) and a number of separate modules (14) in parallel. Each module has a phase shift followed by an amplifier (18) with an antenna (20). A phase detector is with the phase shift. The system is synchronized by a master clock (26).