SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• US 20100093270A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Bass, Jamie
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/1
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 30/006 Mounting of sensors, antennas or target trackers on projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18502 Airborne stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/24 for communication related to weapons
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/41 characterized by the control of the jamming activation or deactivation time control of jamming activation and deactivation time only for the purpose of alternating between jamming mode and target monitoring mode H04K3/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/42 characterized by the control of the jamming frequency or wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/44 characterized by the control of the jamming waveform or modulation type
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/65 using deceptive jamming or spoofing, e.g. transmission of false signals for premature triggering of RCIED, for forced connection or disconnection to/from a network or for generation of dummy target signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/92 related to allowing or preventing remote control

Abstract

A system and method of detecting, processing, and selectively responding to radio frequency transmissions detected by at least one projectile deployed above a geographic area.

Claims

1. An electronic projectile comprising:

a housing;

a processor received within the housing;

a power source operably coupled to the processor;

a location detector operably coupled to the processor, the location detector configured to detect the location of the housing and provide a location signal including location data of the housing to the processor;

a descent inhibitor operably coupled to the processor, the descent inhibitor configured to be stored in the housing during a first mode of operation and to be deployed during a second mode of operation, the processor controlling deployment of the descent inhibitor;

a radio frequency detector operably coupled to the processor, the radio frequency detector configured to detect a radio frequency transmission signal and provide a detection signal including data on the radio frequency transmission signal to the processor; and

a transmitter operably coupled to the processor, the processor configured to cause the transmitter to send a source signal to an operator station, the source signal including the location data of the housing and the data on the radio frequency transmission signal.

2. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a propellant configured to drive the housing in motion.

3. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of antennas operably coupled to the radio frequency detector, each of the plurality of antennas tuned to a different frequency range.

4. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a receiver operably coupled to the processor and configured to receive a control signal from the operator station, the control signal based upon a trigger determined by the operator station, and the processor activating a responder in response to the control signal.

5. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a shock absorber operably coupled to the processor.

6. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a data port supported by the housing and in communication with the processor, the data port configured to electrically couple to a connector supported by a docking station of the operator station.

7. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a camera configured to transmit an image to the processor, and an audio receiver configured to transmit an audio signal to the processor.

8. The electronic projectile of claim 1, further comprising a destructive member received within the housing, detonation of the destructive member being controlled by the processor.

9. The electronic projectile of claim 8, wherein the destructive member comprises at least one of an explosive and an incendiary device.

10. The electronic projectile of claim 1, wherein the descent inhibitor comprises one of a balloon or a parachute deployed by the processor when a predetermined elevation is detected.

11. The electronic projectile of claim 10, wherein the predetermined elevation is the apex of the trajectory of the projectile.

12. The electronic projectile of claim 1, wherein the location detector includes a global positioning satellite receiver and antenna.

13. The electronic projectile of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is defined by a transceiver received within the housing.

14. An apparatus for detecting signal transmissions, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic projectile including a processor, a radio frequency detector operably coupled to the processor and configured to detect radio frequency transmission signals, a transmitter operably coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a source signal including data about the detected radio frequency transmission signals, a receiver operably coupled to the processor, and a responder operably coupled to the processor; and

an operator station including a receiver configured to receive the source signal, a controller operably coupled to the receiver and configured to generate a control signal in response to a trigger, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to the receiver of the electronic projectile;

wherein the processor of the electronic projectile activates the responder upon receiving the control signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the responder comprises the transmitter generating a jamming radio frequency signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the responder comprises a destructive member configured to be detonated in response to the control signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the destructive member comprises at least one of an explosive and an incendiary device.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic projectile further includes a housing and a descent inhibitor operably coupled to the processor, the descent inhibitor configured to be stored in the housing during a launch mode of operation and to be deployed during a surveillance mode of operation, the processor controlling deployment of the descent inhibitor.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic projectile further includes a plurality of antennas operably coupled to the radio frequency detector, each of the plurality of antennas tuned to a different frequency range.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic projectile further includes a data port in communication with the processor and the operator station includes a docking station having a connector in communication with the controller, the data port configured to electrically couple to the connector for the transmission of data.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic projectile further includes at least one of a camera configured to transmit an image to the processor, and an audio receiver configured to transmit an audio signal to the processor.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the descent inhibitor comprises one of a balloon or a parachute deployed by the processor when a predetermined elevation is detected.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trigger is defined by at least one of a frequency location, a frequency movement, and a frequency duration.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the transmitter and the receiver of the electronic projectile are defined by a first transceiver, and the transmitter and the receiver of the operator station are defined by a second transceiver.

25. An apparatus for detecting signal transmissions, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic projectile including a processor, a radio frequency detector operably coupled to the processor and configured to detect radio frequency transmission signals, and a transmitter operably coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a source signal including data about the detected radio frequency transmission signals;

a operator station including a receiver configured to receive the source signal, a controller operably coupled to the receiver and configured to generate a radio frequency transmission map in response to the source signal; and

a display operably coupled to the controller of the operator station and configured to display the transmission map.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the electronic projectile further includes a responder coupled to the processor, wherein the processor activates the responder upon receiving the control signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the display is supported by handheld binoculars.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the electronic projectile further includes a housing and a descent inhibitor operably coupled to the processor, the descent inhibitor configured to be stored in the housing during a launch mode of operation and to be deployed during a surveillance mode of operation, the processor controlling deployment of the descent inhibitor.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of antennas operably coupled to the radio frequency detector, each of the plurality of antennas tuned to a different frequency range.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a data port supported by the housing and in communication with the processor, the data port configured to electrically couple to a connector supported by a docking station of the operator station.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the transmitter of the electronic projectile is defined by a first transceiver, and the receiver of the operator station is defined by a second transceiver.

32. A method of performing radio frequency surveillance, the method comprising the steps of:

launching an electronic projectile over a defined area;

detecting radio frequency signals within the defined area;

monitoring for trigger events; and

activating a responder in response to detected trigger events.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of inhibiting descent of the electronic projectile.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of transmitting a source signal to a operator station.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of generating a radio frequency transmission map in response to the source signal.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the trigger events comprises at least one of a frequency location, a frequency movement, and a frequency duration.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the trigger event comprises an action in response to a stimuli.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of activating a responder comprises transmitting a jamming radio frequency signal.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of activating a responder comprises detonating an explosive.

40. A method of performing radio frequency surveillance, the method comprising the steps of:

launching an electronic projectile over a defined area;

the electronic projectile detecting a radio frequency signal within the defined area, and timestamping the detected radio frequency signal;

determining the location of the electronic projectile at the time the electronic projectile detects the radio frequency signal;

providing an operator station in communication with the electronic projectile;

the operator station detecting the radio frequency signal, and timestamping the radio frequency signal;

determining the location of the operator station at the time the operator station detects the radio frequency signal; and

calculating the location of the source of the radio frequency signal based upon the timestamps of the radio frequency signal, the location of the electronic projectile at the time the electronic projectile detected the radio frequency signal, and the location of the operator station at the time the operator station detected the radio frequency signal.