USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

C Ray Dutton

Joseph B Lopes

Lynn Alan Potter

Jarrod H Wasko

Roderick E Ayers

An acoustic countermeasure system comprises a plurality of individual countermeasure devices which act in concert to emulate a target with spatial extent. The individual countermeasure devices may be programmed to navigate into predetermined positions within a preset pattern with spatial characteristics similar to that of a target of interest, e.g., a submarine. The individual countermeasure devices are programmed to produce acoustic signals, such as in response to a ping or pulse by an incoming torpedo that collectively appears to be an echo similar to that which would come from a target having spatial extent.

Countermeasure system and method to emulate target with spatial extent

A system and method is disclosed for a countermeasure threat emulator (CME) provided in a tubular housing that may be launched from a submarine or ship. The CME electronics include a CPU board for running software, communicating with a computer external to the housing and data recording. The external computer preferably incorporates a database having data representative of a plurality of both foreign and domestic countermeasures. The data may be downloaded to the CPU board as well as updated for reprogramming of the CPU board. A digital signal processing board utilizes a plurality of DSP processors for running software capable of producing a wide range of acoustic signal outputs. A neural network may be used for analyzing and identifying acoustic sounds from incoming threats and notifying the CPU board for selection of a preprogrammed response for transmission by a transducer stack.

Countermeasure threat emulator and method

A launchable countermeasure device and method is disclosed that may be selectively operated to produce one or more of a plurality of countermeasure techniques. The device is compatible with presently existing launch control panels that are connected to an external connection that extends from the watertight hull. Although the signal formats of the launch control panel are different from those of an RS232 or RS422 connection used with a personal computer, nonetheless an interface is operable to accept any of these signal formats. The interface also includes a switch to direct communication from the personal computer to a RS232 port of an internally mounted countermeasure processor. Information downloaded by the personal computer can be used to effect or upgrade different countermeasure techniques such as sonar or incoming torpedo threat countermeasure techniques. The launch control panel is used to select the type of countermeasure technique to be used along with the information relating thereto such as acoustic signal production, hovering system constraints, duration, depth, propeller controls, and the like. The various subsystems are linked by a bus and controlled by the countermeasure processor through a bus controller.

Launchable countermeasure device and method

An improved communication interface for an embedded microcomputer device controller is provided. The interface includes serial communications detection logic/electronics for identifying the nature of external elements connected to the interface, and multiplex logic/electronics for programming and/or reprogramming the embedded microcomputer device controller in response to input signals received from a host device having a serial interface.

Information/software interface having serial communications detection logic/electronics for determining either a host or an embedded microcomputer device controller connected thereto

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North Dartmouth, MA, United States of America

C Ray Dutton