Data insertion system for modulating the carrier of a radio voice transmitter with missile control signals

• US 5,691,531 A
• Filed: 11/06/1996
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Weisz, Daniel R., Harris, Gordon L., Levy, Neil A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wesson, Theresa M.
• Application Number:
  US08/744,284
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.14, 244/3.11, 244/3.1, 89/1.11, 89/1.56, 89/1.51, 455/33.1, 364/922.5, 364/223.1
• US Class Current: 244/3.14
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/306 for transmitting guidance signals; F41G7/308 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/34 based on predetermined target position data

Abstract

A microcomputer with a modem is programmed with information for controlling a flight control computer on a missile. The microcomputer is carried on an aircraft from which the missile is controlled. The pilot of the aircraft has a keypad for setting the target coordinates in the microcomputer. The audio signals from the microcomputer modem are fed to the voice communications system of the aircraft so as to modulate the carrier of the transmitted signal. This signal is received by the receiver on the missile and demodulated and employed to control signals for the missile in the missile flight control computer. The pilot of the aircraft sets in target coordinates for the missile on a keypad connected to the microcomputer.

Claims

1. A system for utilizing a regular intercom/radio voice communication device for transmitting control signals from a control site to a missile radio receiver and computer control comprising:

a data insertion unit at the site, said data insertion unit including a data processor, a modem for converting the output signals of said data processor to audio signals, an audio control, and a keypad,

the data processor being preprogrammed for control of the missile, the keypad being manually operable to provide control signals in accordance with the coordinates of a target,

a headset including a microphone connected to said audio control,

the audio signal output of said modem being fed to said audio control, and

means for controlling said audio control to alternatively feed either the output of said headset microphone or the output of said modem to said intercom/radio communication device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said audio control comprises the data processor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said control site is an aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1 and further including a visual display for indicating when the output of said modem is being fed to the intercom/radio voice communications system.

5. A method for alternatively utilizing a radio communication system either for voice communications or for the transmission of audio control signals generated by a computer for controlling a missile comprising:

connecting the audio output of said computer to an audio control switching device,

connecting a microphone to said audio control switching device,

connecting the output of said audio control switching device to the radio communications system, and

controlling said audio control switching device to alternatively either connect the output of said computer or the output of said microphone to the radio communications system for transmission thereby.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the audio control switching device is controlled by a microprocessor in said computer.