초록 ▼

The invention described herein provides an apparatus and a method to cooperatively track and intercept a plurality of highly maneuvering asymmetric threats using networks of small, low-cost, lightweight, airborne vehicles that dynamically self-organize into an ad hoc network topology. This is accomp

The invention described herein provides an apparatus and a method to cooperatively track and intercept a plurality of highly maneuvering asymmetric threats using networks of small, low-cost, lightweight, airborne vehicles that dynamically self-organize into an ad hoc network topology. This is accomplished using distributed information sharing to maintain cohesion and avoid vehicle collisions, while cooperatively pursuing multiple targets. An oracle vehicle relays network information to a control base.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for intercepting at least one target comprising: providing a plurality of canisters adapted to be deployed from a platform each having an address and an explosive warhead; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a sensor operable to detect one or more targ

What is claimed is: 1. A method for intercepting at least one target comprising: providing a plurality of canisters adapted to be deployed from a platform each having an address and an explosive warhead; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a sensor operable to detect one or more targets operably coupled to a signal processing circuit; coupling said signal processing circuit with a computer processing unit (CPU) operable to run routines and algorithms for wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, guidance, position determination, target detection, target tracking, target assignment, target intercept, and fuzing said warhead; operationally coupling said CPU with a transceiver antenna and a wireless communications transceiver; operationally coupling said CPU with a global positioning system (GPS) antenna and a GPS receiver; operationally coupling said CPU with an inertial measurement unit (IMU); operationally coupling said CPU with an altimeter; operationally coupling said CPU with a flight controller operably coupled to at least one flight control device; deploying a plurality of said canisters from a deployment platform at an altitude above at least one target; establishing a fast wireless communications network between said deployed plurality of canisters via said wireless communications transceivers; detecting one or more targets satisfying specified criteria with said sensor, signal processing circuit, and CPU of each of said deployed plurality of canisters; transmitting each canister's address, position, velocity, acceleration, altitude, time-to-go until impact, target position, GPS, IMU, and sensor data to each other of said plurality of canisters over the fast wireless communications network to form a distributed database stored within each of said plurality of canisters; calculating each canister's envelope of reachability; calculating each target's envelope of reachability; calculating a probability of intercept of each target based upon a predetermined probability of intercept algorithm; assigning each of said plurality of canisters to a target based upon a probability of intercept algorithm; calculating a trajectory to intercept the target assigned to each of said plurality of canisters; guiding each of said plurality of canisters along a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; and, detonating the warhead upon intercept by a canister of its assigned target. 2. A method for intercepting at least one target comprising: providing a plurality of canisters each adapted to be deployed from a platform and each having means operable for the destruction of a target; providing each of said plurality of canisters with an onboard focal plane array imaging sensor operable to detect one or more targets within said imaging sensor's field of view; coupling said focal plane array imaging sensor with an onboard image signal processing circuit operable to collect, store, and process data from said imaging sensor; coupling said image signal processing circuit with an onboard computer processing unit (CPU) operational to run routines and algorithms for wireless communication, information measurement, information collection, information storage, information processing, guidance, position determination, target detection, target tracking, target assignment, target intercept, and fuzing said means for the destruction of a target; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a wireless communications transceiver operationally coupled with said CPU and a transceiver antenna; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operationally coupled with a GPS antenna and said CPU; providing each of said plurality of canisters with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operationally coupled with said CPU; providing each of said plurality of canisters with an altimeter operationally coupled with said CPU; providing each of said plurality of canisters with a flight controller operationally coupled with said CPU and with at least one flight control device; deploying a plurality of said canisters from a deployment platform at an altitude above at least one target; establishing a fast wireless communications network between said deployed plurality of canisters via said wireless communications transceivers with each canister being a network node; scanning the imaging sensor data with the image signal processing circuit for signals satisfying criteria specified to constitute a target; providing the position of each target within a canister's imaging sensor's field of view to said canister's CPU; providing each canister's imaging sensor, GPS, IMU, and altitude data to said canister's CPU; calculating and storing an angle to each detected target within a canister's imaging sensor's field of view; sharing each canister's address, position, velocity, acceleration, altitude, time-to-go until impact, imaging sensor, target position, GPS, and IMU data with each other of said plurality of canisters over the fast wireless communications network to form a periodically updated distributed database stored within each of said plurality of canisters; calculating each canister's envelope of reachability; calculating each target's envelope of reachability; calculating a probability of intercept of each target based upon a predetermined probability of intercept algorithm; assigning each of said plurality of canisters to a target based upon a probability of intercept algorithm; calculating a trajectory to intercept the target assigned to each of said plurality of canisters; calculating the acceleration required for each of said plurality of canisters to follow a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; calculating the amount of flight control device application required by each of said plurality of canisters to achieve the acceleration calculated for each canister to follow a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; actuating said flight control device to apply the acceleration calculated for each canister to follow a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; deploying said means for the destruction of a target upon intercept by a canister of its assigned target. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said flight control device is one or more movable aerodynamic control surfaces disposed to interact with a slipstream passing around said canister. 4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said flight control device is one or more reaction control thrusters. 5. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said distributed database is updated continuously. 6. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 further including: updating said distributed database with each canister's envelope of reachability; updating said distributed database with each target's envelope of reachability; updating said distributed database with said probability of intercept of each target; and, updating said distributed database with each of said plurality of canister's assignment to a target. 7. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 further including: updating said distributed database with each canister's envelope of reachability; updating said distributed database with each target's envelope of reachability; updating said distributed database with said probability of intercept of each target; updating said distributed database with each of said plurality of canister's assignment to a target; updating said distributed database with said trajectory to intercept the assigned target; updating said distributed database with the acceleration required for each of said plurality of canisters to follow a trajectory to intercept its assigned target; and, updating said distributed database with the amount of flight control device application required.