Reconfigurable Weapon Interface Architecture for Fast Capability Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon management systems face limitations due to custom-built hardware and software that restrict capabilities and require lengthy development cycles and costly retrofits for updates, leading to phased obsolescence and slow adaptation to changing weapon development needs.
Innovation Solution
A highly configurable weapon management system comprising a management device, interface unit, and user interface, where the interface unit is electrically coupled to an armament and can receive, process, and execute command signals, allowing for reconfigurable software updates to add new capabilities without hardware changes, enabling efficient integration of new or updated functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built hardware and software are used to interface with weapons, then the system can be tailored to specific tasks, but the system becomes difficult to update and adapt to new capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the weapon management architecture into separate functional modules: standardized interface hardware that handles communication protocols, and software components that manage specific weapon capabilities. This segmentation allows the hardware to remain unchanged while software is updated to support new weapons or capabilities, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal interface standard that can work with multiple different weapon types and configurations. The standardized hardware interface is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various communication protocols and data formats, which enables the system to adapt to new capabilities without requiring custom hardware modifications for each weapon type.
2Productivity
If custom hardware is built for specific weapon requirements, then the system can be optimized for those tasks, but any changes require lengthy design, test, and build cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static custom-built hardware to a dynamic architecture where the interface hardware remains standardized and unchanged, while software components can be dynamically updated and reconfigured. This allows the system to adapt to new weapons and capabilities through software updates alone, dramatically reducing development time from months to weeks or days.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of building custom hardware for each weapon type, the patent uses standardized interface hardware that copies or replicates the same communication protocols and data structures across different weapon systems. This standardization allows software to be the primary vehicle for customization, enabling rapid copying and deployment of new capabilities without hardware redesign.
3Reliability
If the system is designed with fixed capabilities, then it can be reliably operated, but it becomes obsolete as weapon development changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes standardized interface protocols and hardware architectures in advance, creating a foundation that can accommodate future weapon developments. By pre-defining communication standards, data formats, and interface requirements, the system ensures reliable operation with current weapons while being prepared to integrate new capabilities without compromising operational reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A weapon management system (10) includes a management device (12), interface units (14), software downloaded into the interface units, a power network (18), and a communication network (20). The power network (18) provides electrical power to the management device (12) and the interface units (14). The communication network (20) connects the management device (12) to the interface units (14) for transferring electrical signals and data between the components. The interface units (14) and the software downloaded into the interface units are highly reconfigurable, allowing for simple, easy, and fast configurability and expandability for evolving weapon systems. Further, the weapon management system (10) has the capability to add interface units to an existing architecture for expanding and evolving weapon systems.