Multiple Beam Directed Energy System

• US 20110084869A1
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Harrington, Donald Elliot, Koumvakalis, Nicholas, Holly, Sandor
• Granted Patent: US 8,054,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/27
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/136 Magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiation systems, e.g. ground penetrating radars or metal-detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting beams of electromagnetic energy. A plurality of beams having a first number of frequencies and a number of beams having a second number of frequencies are transmitted. The plurality of beams and the number of beams overlap each other at an area with a pattern of intensities in the area. Difference frequency signals having a number of difference frequencies equal to a difference between the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies are monitored. The difference frequency signals are generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of beams and the number of beams.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a transmitter system is configured to transmit a plurality of beams having a first number of frequencies and a number of beams having a second number of frequencies;

a receiver system capable of monitoring for difference frequency signals having a number of difference frequencies equal to a difference between the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies, wherein the difference frequency signals are generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of beams and the number of beams; and

a processor unit connected to the transmitter system and the receiver system, wherein the processor unit is configured to control operation of the transmitter system to transmit the plurality of beams having the first number of frequencies and the number of beams having the second number of frequencies to overlap in an area with a pattern of intensities in the area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beams and the number of beams are positioned in a spatial arrangement to overlap in the area with the pattern of intensities in the area.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spatial arrangement is selected from one of a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional array, an array in a shape of a circle, and an array in a shape of a curve.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of beams and the number of beams are positioned in the spatial arrangement to overlap in the area with the pattern of intensities in the area such that the pattern of intensities remains stationary.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of beams and the number of beams are positioned in the spatial arrangement to overlap in the area with the pattern of intensities in the area such that the pattern of intensities moves within the area as a function of time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of frequencies comprises a first frequency and the second number of frequencies comprises a second frequency.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of frequencies comprises a first frequency and a second frequency and the second number of frequencies comprises the first frequency and the second frequency.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of frequencies comprises a first frequency and a second frequency and the second number of frequencies comprises a third frequency and a fourth frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beams is a plurality of collimated beams and the number of beams is a number of collimated beams.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter system transmits the plurality of beams and the number of beams with a convergence angle at the area.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a number of phase shifters, wherein the number of phase shifters shifts the second number of frequencies for the number of beams.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pattern of intensities comprises a plurality of sections that are selected from parallel linear sections and concentric circular sections.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor unit is configured to control the transmitter system such that a spacing between the plurality of sections in the pattern of intensities is determined using the following equation:

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter system comprises a plurality of transmitters configured to transmit the plurality of beams and the number of beams with a convergence angle.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor unit is capable of operating the transmitter system to change a power level through a range of frequencies and controlling the pattern of intensities such that the plurality of beams and the number of beams damage the object.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the object is damaged in a manner that causes the object to one of be inoperable, explode, and have less functionality.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies are frequencies from about 30 megahertz to about 300 gigahertz.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the difference frequency signals detected form a response, and wherein the processor unit is configured to identify the object using the response.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor unit is capable of comparing the response to a number of profiles of known objects.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is at a location selected from one of under a ground, on the ground, in a structure, and on a person.

21. A method for transmitting beams of electromagnetic energy, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of beams having a first number of frequencies and a number of beams having a second number of frequencies in which the plurality of beams and the number of beams overlap each other at an area with a pattern of intensities in the area; and

monitoring for difference frequency signals having a number of difference frequencies equal to a difference between the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies, wherein the difference frequency signals are generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of beams and the number of beams.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the difference frequency signals form a response and further comprising:

comparing the response to a number of profiles to form a comparison; and

identifying the object using the comparison.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein a first plurality of collimated beams and a second plurality of collimated beams are positioned in a spatial arrangement to overlap each other at the area with the pattern of intensities in the area.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of beams and the number of beams are positioned in the spatial arrangement to overlap the each other at the area with the pattern of intensities in the area such that the pattern of intensities remains stationary.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of beams and the number of beams are positioned in the spatial arrangement to overlap the each other at the area with the pattern of intensities in the area such that the pattern of intensities moves within the area as a function of time.