Anti-unmanned aerial vehicle defense apparatus, protective device for fighting an unmanned aircraft and method for operating a protective device

Abstract

A defense device for combating an unmanned aircraft includes a communications device configured for receiving communications information transmitted by at least one external signal source, an emitting device configured for producing and emitting a high-energy electromagnetic pulse in the event of triggering of the emitting device, and a control device configured to trigger the emission of the high-energy electromagnetic pulse depending on communications information received by the communications device. A protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft and a method for operating a protective configuration are also provided.

Claims

1. A defense apparatus for combating an unmanned aircraft, the defense apparatus comprising: a communications device for receiving communications information transmitted by at least one external signal source; an emitting device for producing and emitting a high-energy electromagnetic pulse upon triggering said emitting device; a control device for triggering emission of the high-energy electromagnetic pulse depending on the communications information received by said communications device; and at least one sensor for detecting sensor data of an environment sector potentially containing the unmanned aircraft; wherein said emitting device includes at least one antenna, a pulse-forming network and a high voltage pulse generator; wherein said antenna is constructed for a directed emission of the electromagnetic pulse in a predetermined solid angle range relative to said at least one antenna; and wherein said control device is configured to control said communications device to transmit the sensor data or data derived from the sensor data to the external signal source.

2. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a defense apparatus housing, and a directing unit being pivotable relative to said defense apparatus housing about at least one pivot axis, said at least one antenna being disposed in said directing unit.

3. The defense apparatus according to claim 2, which further comprises at least one actuator each being associated with said at least one pivot axis for respectively pivoting said directing unit about said at least one pivot axis, said control device being configured for controlling said at least one actuator.

4. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is one of a plurality of antennas, said emitting device includes said plurality of antennas and an associated signal adapting element for at least one of said antennas, said signal adapting element being configured to change at least one of a phase position or an amplitude of a signal delivered to a respective one of said antennas for specifying a solid angle in which the emitting is carried out.

5. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is at least one of an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor or an electromagnetic sensor.

6. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control device is configured to acquire the sensor data and to carry out object recognition for a recognition of the unmanned aircraft depending on the sensor data.

7. The defense apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control device is configured to trigger said emitting device depending on the recognition of the unmanned aircraft during the object recognition.

8. The defense apparatus according to claim 7, which further comprises an operating device, said control device being configured to trigger said emitting device following recognition of the unmanned aircraft only if at least one of an operating input confirming the triggering has been detected at said operating device or a triggering confirmation has been received by using said communications device as communications information from the external signal source.

9. The defense apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control device is configured to acquire further environment data concerning an environment sector potentially containing the unmanned aircraft that was transmitted by the external signal source as communications information, and to analyze the further environment data during the object recognition.

10. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communications device is configured for automatically providing a communications network for the external signal source or for automatically integrating within a communications network provided by the external signal source.

11. The defense apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said emitting device is configured for non-directionally emitting the high-energy electromagnetic pulse upon triggering said emitting device.

12. A protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft, the protective configuration comprising: at least one defense apparatus according to claim 1; and at least one external signal source.

13. The protective configuration according to claim 12, wherein said at least one external signal source is an external sensor device including at least one sensor, a communications device and a control device configured for acquiring sensor data of said at least one sensor and for controlling said communications device for transmitting the sensor data or data derived from the sensor data as communications information to at least one of said defense apparatus or a further external signal source.

14. The protective configuration according to claim 12, wherein said at least one external signal source is an operating apparatus including an operating device for detecting operating inputs and a communications device on an operating device side for sending operating information dependent on detected operating inputs as communications information to at least one of said defense apparatus or a further external signal source.

15. The protective configuration according to claim 14, wherein said operating apparatus includes a display device and a control device, said control device is configured for acquiring environment information received by using said communications device concerning an environment sector potentially containing the unmanned aircraft and for displaying the environment information or information derived from the environment information on said display device.

16. The protective configuration according to claim 12, wherein said external signal source is a further defense apparatus according to claim 1.

17. A method for operating a protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft, the method comprising the following steps: providing at least one external signal source; providing at least one defense apparatus including: a communications device for receiving communications information transmitted by the at least one external signal source, an emitting device for producing and emitting a high-energy electromagnetic pulse upon triggering the emitting device, a control device for triggering emission of the high-energy electromagnetic pulse depending on the communications information received by the communications device; and at least one sensor for detecting sensor data of an environment sector potentially containing the unmanned aircraft, wherein the emitting device includes at least one antenna, a pulse-forming network and a high voltage pulse generator, wherein the antenna is constructed for a directed emission of the electromagnetic pulse in a predetermined solid angle range relative to the at least one antenna, and wherein the control device is configured to control the communications device to transmit the sensor data or data derived from the sensor data to the external signal source; and triggering the emitting device of the defense apparatus only upon communications information concerning the triggering being received by the communications device.

18. The method according to claim 17, which further comprises providing a plurality of defense apparatuses disposed in such a way that areas of the environment in which the emission of the electromagnetic pulse by the respective emitting device is possible at least one of fully or partly enclose or cover an area to be protected.

19. The method according to claim 17, which further comprises: providing the at least one defense apparatus or the at least one external signal source with at least one sensor acquiring sensor data; carrying out object recognition in the sensor data by using at least one of the defense apparatus or the external signal source; and subsequently activating the emitting device of the at least one defense apparatus upon recognition of an unmanned aircraft or following detection of a confirmation by a user.

20. The method according to claim 19, which further comprises: providing the at least one defense apparatus or the at least one external signal source with an output device and an operating device; upon recognition of an unmanned aircraft, outputting information concerning the recognition to the output device; and triggering the emitting device following the detection of an operating input indicating confirmation of the triggering at the operating device.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the emitting device non-directionally emits the high-energy electromagnetic pulse upon triggering the emitting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of exemplary embodiments of a defense apparatus according to the invention;

(2) FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing exemplary embodiments of a protective configuration according to the invention that is operated according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

(3) FIGS. 5 through 9 are diagrams showing the communications in communications networks of different exemplary embodiments of a protective configuration according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen an exemplary embodiment of a defense apparatus for combating an unmanned aircraft. The defense apparatus 1 has a housing 1 and includes a communications device 2 that is constructed for receiving communications information transmitted by at least one external signal source 22. The communications device 2 can also transmit information to the signal source 22. The defense apparatus 1 also includes an emitting device 3, which is constructed for producing and emitting a high-energy electromagnetic pulse when the emitting device 3 is triggered. The triggering of the emitting device 3 is carried out by a control device 4, wherein the control device 4 is constructed to trigger the emission depending on communications information received by the communications device 2.

(5) The emitting device 3 includes an antenna 5, a pulse-forming network 8 and a high voltage pulse generator 9. The pulse-forming network 8 includes a conductor-like wiring configuration of capacitors, which are charged during the operation of the defense apparatus 1 by a power supply 20 that includes a charging circuit that is not shown for the pulse-forming network 8. In order to trigger the emission of the electromagnetic pulse, the control device 4 controls the power supply 20 in order to energize the high voltage pulse generator 9. A spark gap, by using which the pulse-forming network 8 can be discharged, is switched by the high voltage pulse generator 9. As a result, a current pulse is provided that can be emitted by using the antenna 5.

(6) The antenna 5 is constructed for directed emission of the electromagnetic pulse in a predetermined solid angle relative to the antenna, i.e. a directional antenna. The antenna 5 is disposed on a pivotable directing unit 10 that enables pivoting of the antenna about two pivot axes relative to a housing that is not shown of the defense apparatus 1. An actuator 11, 12 that is associated with each of the pivot axes can be controlled by the control device 4 in order to pivot the antenna.

(7) In order to detect an unmanned aircraft to be combated, the defense apparatus 1 includes a sensing system 16 including an acoustic sensor 17, an optical sensor 18 and an electromagnetic sensor, for example the radar sensor 19. The sensor data detected by the sensors are acquired by the control device 4 and object recognition is carried out in the sensor data for recognition of unmanned aircraft in the monitored environment. The control device 4 is also constructed to take into account further environment information during the object recognition that has been received by using the communications device 2. If, for example, a further defense apparatus with an associated sensing system or a sensor device were to be provided in the environment of the defense apparatus 1, then that further defense apparatus could provide further environment information to the control device 4 by using the communications device 2.

(8) The control device 4 is constructed to trigger the emitting device 3 depending on the recognition of the unmanned aircraft during the object recognition. Triggering of the emitting device 3 is only carried out in the defense apparatus 1, however, after triggering confirmation has been received as communications information from an external signal source 22 by using the communications device 2 following the recognition of an unmanned aircraft. An operating device that enables the monitoring and control of the operation of the defense apparatus 1 by a user is shown as an external signal source 22.

(9) The operating device includes an operating device 23 for detecting operating inputs. Customary operating devices such as a mouse, keyboards, joysticks, buttons or similar can be used as the operating device. The operating device also includes a display device 24. The control device 4 controls the communications device 2 to transmit image data generated from the sensor data to the operating device, whereupon that data are displayed on the display device 24. If an object is recognized as an unmanned aircraft to be combated, then a video image that is acquired by the optical sensor 18 is modified by the control device 4 by marking the unmanned aircraft as a recognized object.

(10) Penetration by a detected unmanned aircraft into any area in which the defense apparatus 1 can be expected to successfully combat the unmanned aircraft with an electromagnetic pulse can be displayed by displaying the marker on the display device 24 and/or by a warning device that is not shown provided on the operating device. If it is confirmed by a user on the operating device that combating is to be carried out, then the operating device, i.e. the external signal source 22, transmits corresponding communications information to the defense apparatus 1, whereupon the control device 4 triggers the emission of a high-energy electromagnetic pulse by the emitting device 3. When an unmanned aircraft is recognized, prior to the triggering of the emission of the electromagnetic pulse, the actuators 11, 12 are controlled to pivot the antenna 5 that is disposed on the directing unit 10 so that emitting is carried out towards the area in which the unmanned aircraft is located.

(11) The defense apparatus 1 can be used flexibly, because it can jointly form a communications network with further defense apparatuses and other external signal sources, such as the operating device or external sensors shown, by using which coordinated detection and combating of unmanned aircraft is enabled. For this purpose, the communications device 2 is constructed to provide a communications network for external signal sources, or, if a communications network already provided by a further external signal source is detected, to integrate itself into that network. In order to provide information, about a structure of the overall protective configuration that is formed, to defense apparatuses 1 participating in the communications network or other external signal sources 22, further information about the defense apparatus 1 is transmitted to the further members of the communications network by the control device 4 by using the communications device 2. In particular, with a position sensor 21, for example a GPS sensor, a position of the defense apparatus 1 is detected and transmitted to the further defense apparatuses 1 or the signal sources 22. In addition, the orientation of the defense apparatus can be determined and transmitted, for example by magnetic field sensors that are not shown. The positions and orientations of the defense apparatuses 1 facilitate in particular the fusion of sensor data or environment data of different sources in the communications network and also enable coordinated combating of unmanned aircraft, for example by the simultaneous emission of an electromagnetic pulse by a plurality of the defense apparatuses 1.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a defense apparatus for combating an unmanned aircraft. The defense apparatus 1 represented in FIG. 2 includes a very similar construction to the defense apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. Identical or functionally identical components are therefore referred to with the same reference characters, and only differences from the defense apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 are described in the following description.

(13) The defense apparatus 1 according to FIG. 2 does not include a dedicated sensing system. Therefore, for the detection, recognition and tracking of unmanned aircraft, only sensor data or data derived from sensor data are used that are provided by an external sensor device, i.e. an external signal source 26, which is disposed on a mobile platform 25, namely a balloon, an airship or similar. For reasons of clarity, only one individual external signal source 26 is shown. Clearly, a plurality of external sensor devices can be used in order to detect unmanned aircraft. In the simplest case, data from one or more of the sensors that are not shown and that are provided on the sensor device are transmitted by the external sensor device directly to the control device 4 by using the communications device 2. Alternatively or additionally, data analysis, for example fusion of the data of a plurality of sensors or object recognition, could already be carried out by the external sensor device and already analyzed data could be provided to the defense apparatus 1.

(14) The defense apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operating device 23 as well as a display device 24 on the defense apparatus 1 itself. This enables configuration of the defense apparatus 1 and control of the defense apparatus 1 to be carried out in the defense apparatus 1 itself. For example, it is possible to manually trigger emission of a high-energy electromagnetic pulse and/or in the event of the recognition of an unmanned aircraft to confirm triggering of the emitting device. The operating device 23 and the display device 24 further increase the flexibility of the defense apparatus 1, because it is thereby possible to use the defense apparatus 1 without an external operating device. Of course, it is also possible to still use the defense apparatus 1 in protective configurations including one or a plurality of external operating devices, for example in order to control complex combinations of defense apparatuses 1. The provision of the operating device 23 on the defense apparatus 1 enables it to also control further defense apparatuses 1 by transmitting control information by using the communications device 2.

(15) The defense apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 also uses another device for determining the emitting direction of the electromagnetic pulse. The defense apparatus 1 includes for this purpose a plurality, in this example three, of antennas 5, 6, 7, to which the electromagnetic pulse produced by the pulse-forming network 8 can be delivered. A signal adapting element 13, 14, 15 in each case, that adjusts the amplitude and the phase of the signal transmitted to the antenna in order to influence an emitting direction, is disposed between the pulse-forming network 8 and the antennas 5, 6, 7. The adjustment of an emitting direction of an antenna array with a plurality of antennas by adjustment of the signals delivered to the respective antennas is basically known and will not be described in detail.

(16) Individual features of the defense apparatuses 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are clearly able to be combined. For example, it is possible to provide both a sensing system 16 and also an operating device 23 and/or a display device 24 in a defense apparatus 1. Alternatively, an external sensor device and an external operating device can be exclusively used in order to operate the defense apparatus 1 and to acquire environment data for the defense apparatus 1. Determination of the emitting direction of the electromagnetic pulse by a directing unit or by a plurality of antennas with associated signal adapting elements can be used interchangeably or can be combined.

(17) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft. In the simple exemplary embodiment shown, a plurality of defense apparatuses is used in order to enable combating of unmanned aircraft within an effective range 27 of the protective configuration, which is far greater than the effective range 28 of an individual defense apparatus 1. The emission of the electromagnetic pulse by the defense apparatuses 1 is carried out in each case by using an antenna that emits the electromagnetic pulse substantially in an undirected manner. Emission can in particular be carried out in a funnel-shaped upwardly directed solid angle segment in order to prevent or inhibit the emission of the electromagnetic pulse in the operating plane of the defense apparatus 1.

(18) Each of the defense apparatuses 1 includes a sensing system as well as an operating device in order to monitor and control the operation of the protective configuration from any of the defense apparatuses. In addition, each of the defense apparatuses 1 includes acoustic, optical and electromagnetic sensors for monitoring an airspace potentially containing the unmanned aircraft. The communications devices of the defense apparatuses are constructed to automatically provide a communications network, or to integrate within a provided communications network. Therefore, in the event of the activation of the defense apparatuses 1, a communications network in which the defense apparatuses 1 communicate with each other is automatically constructed.

(19) When constructing the communications network, one of the defense apparatuses 1 is selected as the master. The control device of the selected defense apparatus 1 coordinates the communications between the defense apparatuses 1 and carries out a central analysis of sensor data for object recognition as well as central control of the triggering of the emission directions of the defense apparatuses 1. In order to detect the environment sector, sensors are provided in each of the defense apparatuses 1 and the sensor data of the sensors are transmitted to the defense apparatus 1 selected as the master. There the sensor data of all of the defense apparatuses 1 are fused and object recognition is carried out in the sensor data.

(20) If penetration by an unmanned aircraft is detected within the effective range 27, the control device of the defense apparatus that was selected as the master determines the emitting device of the defense apparatuses that are to be activated. It is possible to activate one or a plurality of the emitting devices. If the associated emitting device is activated, then the control device directly controls the emitting device to emit a high-energy electromagnetic pulse. If the emitting devices of other defense apparatuses 1 are activated, then the control device controls the communications device to transmit corresponding communications information to the corresponding defense apparatuses 1. It is possible to coordinate the emission point in time by the provision of a time stamp describing a triggering time, as well as by a wait interval before activating its own emitting device. For this purpose, it is advantageous if in addition time synchronization is carried out in the communications network of the protective configuration.

(21) The detection, recognition and triggering of a pulse by the protective configuration can be carried out automatically or autonomously.

(22) In a development of the protective configuration, it is possible that emission of the electromagnetic pulse is only carried out if that emission is confirmed by a user. Confirmation of the triggering is possible in the operating device of any of the defense apparatuses, but it is also possible to select one of the defense apparatuses in which operating inputs are detected.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft. In this exemplary embodiment, the protective configuration also includes a plurality of defense apparatuses 1, whereby a greater effective range 27 is achieved in which an unmanned aircraft can be combated than with the use of an individual defense apparatus 1. The significant difference from the protective configuration shown in FIG. 3 is that defense apparatuses 1 are used that emit the respective electromagnetic pulse in a predetermined solid angle range 30 relative to the antenna, i.e. in a directed manner. The antenna is disposed on a directing unit and is thereby pivotable about two pivot axes, so that emission in any solid angle in a solid angle range 34 is possible by pivoting the antenna. The solid angle range 34 is limited because of the mechanical construction of the defense apparatus 1. The plurality of defense apparatuses are disposed so that an area 29 to be protected is fully included in the effective range 27.

(24) In an embodiment that is not shown, it would also be possible to not mechanically limit the angular range 34 in which emission of the electromagnetic pulse is possible. If, nevertheless, the effective range is to be blocked in the protective area 29, i.e. a protective area 29 is to be predetermined in which it is ensured that no emission of an electromagnetic pulse is carried out in that area by the protective configuration, for example the pivoting of the antennas can be limited by suitably programming the defense apparatuses 1 of the protective area 29.

(25) The protective configuration includes an external sensor device 33 as well as an operating device or apparatus 32 in addition to the defense apparatuses 1. The functions of the external sensor device and the external operating device have already been described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. In the protective configuration, the operating device 32 is always used as the master and carries out the analysis of the sensor data of the sensor device 33 as well as the sensor data provided by the defense apparatuses 1.

(26) An unmanned aircraft 31 within the vicinity of the effective range 27 is detected by object recognition carried out by the operating device 32. In order to prepare for combating the unmanned aircraft 31, communications information is transmitted by the operating device 32 to the defense apparatuses 1 nearest to the unmanned aircraft 31, which instructs the defense apparatuses 1 to orient the antennas thereof towards the unmanned aircraft 31 by activating the corresponding actuators. A video image containing the unmanned aircraft 31 is also displayed on a display device that is not shown of the operating device. If the unmanned aircraft 31 penetrates within the effective range 27, then a user is signaled to the effect that combating of the unmanned aircraft 31 is possible. If that user confirms combating of the unmanned aircraft 31 to the operating device 32, then communications information is transmitted to the defense apparatuses 1 nearest to the unmanned aircraft 31 in order to trigger the emission of the electromagnetic pulse. Through the use of such coordinated emission of the electromagnetic pulse, the intensity of the electromagnetic pulse can be increased and thereby the effectiveness thereof can be improved.

(27) FIGS. 5 through 9 show possible constructions of a communications network used in different exemplary embodiments of a protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft. The communications connections of the communications networks shown can be implemented in a wireless, wired or partly wireless or partly wired form.

(28) FIG. 5 shows a communications network organized as a ring, in which each of the defense apparatuses 1 of the protective configuration communicates with exactly two further defense apparatuses 1. One of the defense apparatuses 1 is selected as the master 35. The transmission of communications information from the master 35 to any optional defense apparatus 1 is possible, because an address is associated with each of the defense apparatuses 1 and communications information can be forwarded by the further defense apparatuses 1 lying between the master 35 and the addressed defense apparatus 1. This is indicated by the dashed arrows. An operating device 32 communicates exclusively with the master 35.

(29) FIG. 6 shows a network structure in which no master is selected, but each of the defense apparatuses 1 communicates with equal rights with each of the other defense apparatuses 1.

(30) FIG. 7 shows a network structure in which one of the defense apparatuses 1 is selected as the master 35, wherein in contrast to the network structure shown in FIG. 5 the master 35 is directly connected to each individual defense apparatus 1 by using a communications channel.

(31) FIG. 8 shows a network that is structurally identical to FIG. 7, wherein an operating device 32 is acting as the master and communicates directly with each of the defense apparatuses 1.

(32) FIG. 9 shows a further network structure in which the defense apparatuses 1 communicate with each other with equal rights, wherein one of the defense apparatuses 1 communicates with an operating device 32 that is acting as the master.

(33) The structures of the communications network shown are purely by way of example. Clearly, a number of other network structures are possible.