Self-powered datalink activation system

• US 5,933,263 A
• Filed: 02/14/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Company
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kinstler, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCAL, LESLIE C
• Application Number:
  US08/801,075
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 359/142, 359/143, 359/144, 359/147, 359/172, 102/207, 102/201
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/807 Optical power feeding, i.e. transmitting power using an optical signal

Abstract

The system includes at least one data receiver, a low-power, photovoltaic power generation and distribution system, and a unique signal detector. The data receiver receives serial digital information from a remote optical data transmitter. The data receiver serves both activation and data/control wireless datalink functions. The low-power photovoltaic power generation and distribution system includes at least one photovoltaic panel for receiving optical power from a directed beam remote optical emission source. The power generation and distribution system also includes a power accumulation and distribution portion connected to the photovoltaic panel for accumulating power generated by the photovoltaic panel for periodically and intermittently distributing accumulated power in desired quantities. The unique signal detector is connected to the data receiver and to the power accumulation and distribution portion. It is also connectable to an electrical apparatus. The periodically and intermittently distributed power enables the unique signal detector to evaluate incoming data received from the data receiver, and upon detection of the receipt of the signal qualifying as a key, thereupon issues a command to the electrical apparatus to initiate uninterrupted data communication from the data receiver.

Claims

1. A wireless datalink activation system for remote activation of an electrical apparatus using a remote optical data transmitter and a directed beam remote optical emission source, said wireless datalink activation system comprising:

a) at least one data receiver for receiving serial digital information from a remote optical data transmitter, said data receiver serving both activation and data/control wireless datalink functions;

b) a low-power photovoltaic power generation and distribution system, comprising;

at least one photovoltaic panel for receiving optical power from a directed beam remote optical emission source; and

power accumulation and distribution means, comprising a micro-power timer integrated circuit, connected to said at least one photovoltaic panel for accumulating power generated by said at least one photovoltaic panel for periodically and intermittently distributing accumulated power in desired quantities; and

c) a unique signal detector connected to said at least one data receiver and to said power accumulation and distribution means, and being connectable to an electrical apparatus, wherein said periodically and intermittently distributed power enables said unique signal detector to evaluate incoming data received from said at least one data receiver, and upon detection of the receipt of a signal qualifying as a key, thereupon issues a command to said electrical apparatus to initiate uninterrupted data communication from said data receiver.

2. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 1, wherein said unique signal detector comprises a tone detector circuit.

3. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 1, wherein said power accumulation and releasing means further comprises:

a capacitor connected to said photovoltaic panel; and

a pair of micro-power voltage reference diode-resister networks connected in parallel to said capacitor.

4. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 3, wherein said micro-power timer integrated circuit is connected in parallel to said capacitor.

5. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 4, wherein said micro-power timer integrated circuit comprises:

a) a pair of comparators, each connected to an associated micro-power voltage reference diode-resistor network;

b) a set-reset flip-flop connected to outputs of said comparators, which enables the initiation and termination of power distribution periods; and

c) a transistor switch connected to an output of said flip-flop and to said unique signal detector for activating said evaluation of incoming data.

6. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 5, further comprising a low power relay device connected between said unique signal detector and said electrical apparatus for activating said electrical apparatus.

7. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 1, further including said electrical apparatus comprising smart munitions positioned in a pre-launch configuration.

8. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 7, wherein said at least one data receiver comprises two data receivers.

9. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 8, wherein said pre-launch configuration comprises a weapons bay.

10. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 8, wherein said pre-launch configuration comprises a launch canister.

11. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 8, wherein said pre-launch configuration comprises a weapon loading conveyer assembly for breach-loaded munitions.

12. The wireless datalink activation system of claim 8, wherein said optical power received by said at least one photovoltaic panel comprises relatively low optical power in a range of 1.0 mW-10.0 mW.

13. A wireless datalink activation system for remote activation of an electrical apparatus using a remote optical data transmitter and a directed beam remote optical emission source, said wireless datalink activation system comprising:

a) at least one data receiver for receiving serial digital information from a remote optical data transmitter, said data receiver serving both activation and data/control wireless datalink functions;

b) a low-power photovoltaic power generation and distribution system comprising;

at least one photovoltaic panel for receiving optical power from a directed beam remote optical emission source; and

power accumulation and distribution means connected to said at least one photovoltaic panel for accumulating power generated by said at least one photovoltaic panel for periodically and intermittently distributing accumulated power in desired quantities, said power accumulation and distribution means, comprising;

i) a micro-power timer integrated circuit;

ii) a capacitor connected to said photovoltaic panel; and

iii) a pair of micro-power voltage reference diode-resister networks connected in parallel to said capacitor and to said micro-power timer integrated circuit; and

c) a unique signal detector connected to said at least one data receiver and to said power accumulation and distribution means, and being connectable to an electrical apparatus, wherein said periodically and intermittently distributed power enables said unique signal detector to evaluate incoming data received from said at least one data receiver, and upon detection of the receipt of a signal qualifying as a key, thereupon issues a command to said electrical apparatus to initiate uninterrupted data communication from said data receiver.

14. A self-powered datalink activation system for remote activation of an electrical apparatus, comprising:

a) a remote optical data transmitter;

b) a directed beam remote optical emission source; and

c) a wireless datalink activation system, comprising;

i) at least one data receiver for receiving serial digital information from said remote optical data transmitter, said data receiver serving both activation and data/control wireless datalink functions;

ii) a low-power photovoltaic power generation and distribution system, comprising;

at least one photovoltaic panel for receiving optical power from a directed beam remote optical emission source; and

power accumulation and distribution means, comprising a micro-power timer integrated circuit, connected to said at least one photovoltaic panel for accumulating power generated by said at least one photovoltaic panel for periodically and intermittently distributing accumulated power in desired quantities; and

iii) a unique signal detector connected to said at least one data receiver and to said power accumulation and distribution means, and being connectable to an electrical apparatus, wherein said periodically and intermittently distributed power enables said unique signal detector to evaluate incoming data received from said at least one data receiver, and upon detection of the receipt of a signal qualifying as a key, thereupon issues a command to said electrical apparatus to initiate uninterrupted data communication from said data receiver.

15. A wireless datalink activation system for remote activation of smart munitions positioned in a pre-launch configuration, said wireless datalink activation using a remote optical data transmitter and a directed beam remote optical emission source, said wireless datalink activation system comprising:

a) at least one data receiver for receiving serial digital information from a remote optical data transmitter, said data receiver serving both activation and data/control wireless datalink functions;

b) a low-power photovoltaic power generation and distribution system, comprising;

at least one photovoltaic panel for receiving optical power from a directed beam remote optical emission source; and

power accumulation and distribution means, comprising a micro-power timer integrated circuit, connected to said at least one photovoltaic panel for accumulating power generated by said at least one photovoltaic panel for periodically and intermittently distributing accumulated power in desired quantities; and

c) a unique signal detector connected to said at least one data receiver and to said power accumulation and distribution means, and being connectable to smart munitions positioned in a pre-launch configuration, wherein said periodically and intermittently distributed power enables said unique signal detector to evaluate incoming data received from said at least one data receiver, and upon detection of the receipt of a signal qualifying as a key, thereupon issues a command to said electrical apparatus to initiate uninterrupted data communication from said data receiver.