Systems and methods for guiding munitions

• US 6,889,934 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, Steve H., Hager, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US10/871,252
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 244 31- 33, 89/11.1, 342 61- 65, 701/200, 701207-224
• US Class Current: 244/3.19
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/222 for spin-stabilized missiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/422 sequential lobing, e.g. conical scan
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/56 Conical-scan beam systems using signals indicative of the deviation of the direction of reception from the scan axis

Abstract

A method of guiding a munition to a target transmitting one or more signals is described. The method includes configuring the munition with a radio frequency receiver, an antenna for the receiver mounted such that a main beam of the antenna pattern for the antenna is offset from a line of flight axis of the munition by an angle and configuring the munition to rotate along an axis substantially similar to the line of flight axis of the munition. The method also includes configuring the munition to process signals received at the antenna, wherein heading changes of the munition, the angle of the main beam of the antenna from the line of flight axis, and the rotation of the munition result in the received signals having amplitude variations. Directional corrections are generated for the munition to direct the munition towards the target based on amplitude variations in the received signals.

Claims

1. A method of guiding a munition to a target transmitting one or more signals, said method comprising:

configuring the munition with a radio frequency receiver, an antenna for the receiver mounted such that a main beam of the antenna pattern for the antenna is offset from a line of flight axis of the munition by an angle;

configuring the munition to rotate along an axis substantially similar to the line of flight axis of the munition;

configuring the munition to process signals received at the antenna, wherein heading changes of the munition, the angle of the main beam of the antenna from the line of flight axis, and the rotation of the munition result in the received signals having amplitude variations; and

generating directional corrections for the munition to direct the munition towards the target based on the amplitude variations in the received signals.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein configuring the munition to process signals received comprises generating an error signal indicative of an error between a line of flight of the munition and a line of sight to the target.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein generating an error signal comprises:

determining an average of the received signal; and

determining a difference signal between the received signal and the average of the received signal.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein generating elevation and azimuth corrections for the munition comprises utilizing the difference signal to adjust a control surface of the munition.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein rotating the munition causes the main beam of the antenna pattern for the antenna to periodically intersect a line of flight of the munition.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising controlling operation of the radio frequency receiver based on an angle of the munition with respect to the target.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising setting a bandwidth and center frequency for the radio frequency receiver prior to launch of the munition.

8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising rejecting elevation and azimuth corrections for the munition based on signals received at the antenna that would result in a deviation in the flight of the munition from an established trajectory that is greater than a threshold.

9. A radio frequency guided munition comprising:

a chassis configured to rotate at an angular velocity upon launch, the rotation substantially along a line of flight axis of said munition;

at least one control surface mounted on said chassis;

a radio frequency receiver mounted within said chassis, said radio frequency receiver comprising an antenna, said antenna mounted such that a main beam of an antenna pattern associated with said antenna is offset from the line of flight axis of the munition by an angle, said antenna configured to receive signals transmitted by a target; and

a circuit to process signals received from said radio frequency receiver, said circuit configured to generate elevation and azimuth corrections to direct said munition towards the target based on variances in amplitude of the received signals transmitted by the target, said circuit to cause said at least one control surface to change a line of night for said munition based on generated elevation and azimuth corrections.

10. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 9 wherein one or more of heading changes of said munition, the angle of the main beam of the antenna from the line of flight axis, and the rotation of the munition result in target transmitted signals being received by said antenna at different points on an antenna pattern of said antenna.

11. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 9 wherein rotation of said munition will result in target transmitted signals being received by said antenna at a varying amplitude.

12. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 9 wherein said circuit is configured to generate an error signal indicative of an error between a line of flight of the munition and a line of sight to the target.

13. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 12 wherein to generate the error signal said circuit is configured to:

determine an average of the received signal; and

determine a difference between the received signal and the average of the received signal, the difference being the error signal; and

apply the error signal to adjust said at least one control surface.

14. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 11 further comprising a level detector, said level detector configured to control operation of said radio frequency receiver based on an angle of said munition with respect to the target.

15. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 11 wherein said radio frequency receiver is configured with a bandwidth and center frequency, based on transmission characteristics of the target emitter.

16. A radio frequency guided munition according to claim 11 further comprising a level detector, said level detector configured to switch power to said radio frequency receiver during a downward portion of the trajectory of said munition.

17. A radio frequency (RF) receiver for a guided munition, said RF receiver comprising:

an antenna mounted such that a main beam of an antenna pattern associated with said antenna is offset from line of flight axis of the guided munition by an angle and configured to receive transmissions from a target;

a peak detecting circuit configured to receive signals representative of RF signals received by said antenna and output an absolute value of the amplitude of the signals;

an averaging circuit configured to receive an output of said peak detecting circuit; and

a differencing circuit configured to receive an output of said peak detecting circuit and an output of said averaging circuit, an output of said differencing circuit indicative of an error between a line of flight axis of the guided munition and a line of sight from the guided munition to the target.

18. An RF receiver according to claim 17 further comprising:

an amplifier configured to receive and amplify signals from said antenna;

an oscillator;

a mixer configured to receive the amplified signals from said amplifier and mix the amplified signals with a frequency from said oscillator to provide an intermediate frequency (IF) signal; and

an IF amplifier configured to amplify the IF signal from said mixer and output the amplified signal to said peak detecting circuit.

19. An RF receiver according to claim 17, said receiver operable to be configured with a bandwidth and a center frequency of a transmitter associated with a target for the guided munition.

20. An RF receiver according to claim 17 wherein said antenna is configured to output a signal having an amplitude dependent on a rotation of the guide munition.

21. An RF receiver according to claim 17 further comprising a level detector, said level detector configured to control an output of said RF receiver based on an angle of the guided munition with respect to the target.

22. A method of implementing radio frequency guidance for a munition, said method comprising:

installing a radio frequency receiver within the munition;

mounting an antenna for the receiver such that a main beam of the antenna pattern for the antenna is offset from a line of flight axis of the munition by an angle;

configuring the munition to rotate along an axis substantially similar to a longitudinal axis of the munition;

programming the munition to process signals received at the antenna; and

configuring the munition to change a position of at least one control surface of the munition based on the processed signals.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein an amplitude of the signals received at the antenna is controlled, at least in part, by at least one of the angle of the main beam of the antenna from the line of flight axis, and the rotation of the munition.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein programming the munition to process signals received at the antenna comprises configuring the munition to process the signals received at the antenna during a downward portion of the trajectory of the munition.