Apparatus and method for cooperative multi target tracking and interception
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for intercepting a plurality of targets comprising:
- a plurality of target seeking and destruction devices, each of said plurality of devices having means for target detection, target tracking, guidance, position determination, wireless communication, and means for destruction of one of said plurality of targets;
each of said plurality of devices adapted to be deployed from a deployment platform to acquire and track at least one of said plurality of targets;
each of said plurality of devices share data pertaining to target detection, target tracking, guidance and position by wireless communication with each other of said plurality of devices;
each of said plurality of devices utilize said shared data to determine a probability of intercept for each of said plurality of targets within a field of view of each said plurality of devices;
each of said plurality of devices utilize said shared probabilities of intercept to assign one of said plurality of targets within its field of view to be intercepted;
each of said plurality of devices utilize a potential function to maintain inter-device spacing between each of said plurality of devices;
each of said plurality of devices adapted to detect maneuvering of said assigned target within its field of view and to calculate and follow a trajectory for intercept of said assigned target; and
each of said plurality of devices adapted to operate said means for destruction upon intercept of said assigned target.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention described herein provides an apparatus and a method to cooperatively track and intercept a plurality of highly maneuvering asymmetric threats using networks of small, low-cost, lightweight, airborne vehicles that dynamically self-organize into an ad hoc network topology. This is accomplished using distributed information sharing to maintain cohesion and avoid vehicle collisions, while cooperatively pursuing multiple targets.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for intercepting a plurality of targets comprising:
-
a plurality of target seeking and destruction devices, each of said plurality of devices having means for target detection, target tracking, guidance, position determination, wireless communication, and means for destruction of one of said plurality of targets; each of said plurality of devices adapted to be deployed from a deployment platform to acquire and track at least one of said plurality of targets; each of said plurality of devices share data pertaining to target detection, target tracking, guidance and position by wireless communication with each other of said plurality of devices; each of said plurality of devices utilize said shared data to determine a probability of intercept for each of said plurality of targets within a field of view of each said plurality of devices; each of said plurality of devices utilize said shared probabilities of intercept to assign one of said plurality of targets within its field of view to be intercepted; each of said plurality of devices utilize a potential function to maintain inter-device spacing between each of said plurality of devices; each of said plurality of devices adapted to detect maneuvering of said assigned target within its field of view and to calculate and follow a trajectory for intercept of said assigned target; and each of said plurality of devices adapted to operate said means for destruction upon intercept of said assigned target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for intercepting a plurality of targets comprising:
-
providing a plurality of target seeking and destruction devices, each of said plurality of devices having means for target detection, target tracking, guidance, position determination, wireless communication, and means for destruction of one of said plurality of targets; deploying each of said plurality of devices from a deployment platform; each of said plurality of devices acquiring and tracking at least one of said plurality of targets; each of said plurality of devices sharing data pertaining to target detection, target tracking, guidance and position by wireless communication with each other of said plurality of devices; utilizing said shared data for determining a probability of intercept for each of said plurality of targets within a field of view of each said plurality of devices; sharing with each other of said plurality of devices said probabilities of intercept; each of said plurality of devices utilizing said shared probabilities of intercept to assign one of said plurality of targets within its field of view to be intercepted; each of said plurality of devices utilizing a potential function to maintain inter-device spacing between each of said plurality of devices; detecting maneuvering of said assigned target within the field of view of each of said plurality of devices and calculating a trajectory for intercept of said assigned target; and each of said plurality of devices following a trajectory for intercepting said assigned target and operating said means for destruction upon intercepting said assigned target. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification