Network for combat control of ground-based units

• US 7,932,821 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Biel, Kristoffer
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/064,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20080246601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/539.21, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/538.15, 340/539.1, 340/527, 340/571
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A network for combat control of ground-based units, such as combat vehicles, in real time, may obtain information is concerning the units comprised in the network for the evaluation of threats and the calculation of a response. The units may be divided into clusters with a central unit in each cluster and at least one client unit in each cluster, which client units are arranged to communicate with the associated central unit. Each unit comprises a control computer, radio, amplifier and antenna for communication with other units. The central unit may control units comprised in an associated cluster on the basis of threat evaluation and response calculation carried out in the central unit on the basis of information communicated from other units and on the basis of information obtained by means of its own equipment.

Claims

1. Network for combat control of ground-based units in real time, the network comprising:

a plurality of ground-based units, wherein the units are divided into clusters, with a central unit in each cluster and at least one client unit in each cluster that is arranged to communicate with the associated central unit;

wherein each unit comprises a control computer, radio, amplifier and antenna for communication with other units, wherein the radio of each unit includes a clock, and wherein the clock of each client unit of a particular cluster is synchronized with the clock of the central unit of the particular cluster; and

wherein the central unit of a particular cluster is arranged to control units of the particular cluster on the basis of the threat evaluation and response calculation carried out in the central unit on the basis of information communicated from other units, said information comprising information about the current position, speed, orientation and status of the respective units, and on the basis of information produced by equipment of the central unit.

2. Network for combat control according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication between the units is carried out by wireless means.

3. Network according to claim 2, characterized in that a unit that intends to transmit predicts the delay in the transmission to the other unit.

4. Network according to claim 2, characterized in that the central unit and the other units in an associated duster are arranged to communicate bi-directionally and via several channels.

5. Network according to claim 2, characterized in that the central unit and the other units are arranged to communicate utilizing frequency hopping.

6. Network according to claim 2, characterized in that the central unit comprised in a duster comprises a dedicated gun platform.

7. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that the clocks of the client units of a particular cluster are synchronized with the central unit of the particular cluster by communication between the central unit and the client units within the particular cluster.

8. Network according to claim 7, characterized in that a unit that intends to transmit predicts the delay in the transmission to the other unit.

9. Network according to claim 7, characterized in that the central unit and the other units in an associated cluster are arranged to communicate bi-directionally and via several channels.

10. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that the clocks are synchronized to GPS-time.

11. Network according to claim 10, characterized in that a unit that intends to transmit predicts the delay in the transmission to the other unit.

12. Network according to claim 10, characterized in that the central unit and the other units in an associated cluster are arranged to communicate bi-directionally and via several channels.

13. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that a unit that intends to transmit predicts the delay in the transmission to the other unit.

14. Network according to claim 13, characterized in that the central unit and the other units in an associated duster are arranged to communicate bi-directionally and via several channels.

15. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit and the other units in an associated cluster are arranged to communicate bi-directionally and via several channels.

16. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit and the other units are arranged to communicate utilizing frequency hopping.

17. Network according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit comprised in a cluster comprises a dedicated gun platform.

18. Network according to claim 1, wherein the central unit further comprises at least one sensor arranged to produce information for use in threat evaluation and response calculation.

19. Network according to claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one active sensor.

20. Network according to claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one passive sensor.