Oerlikon Contraves Ag

Ruag Electronics

Peter Gerber

Fabian Ochsner

Rahim Fardin

The interrogation device is used for identifying a target device. A transmitter is designed for transmitting a coded electromagnetic radiation. The target device has sensor means for detecting this radiation and for converting it into electrical signals, which are supplied to an evaluation unit, as well as transmitting means which, in accordance with decisions made by the evaluation unit, return messages to receiving means located inside or outside of the transmitter. The transmitter comprises a circuit with an oscillator and an antenna, which are designed to generate individual pulses, or short bursts of pulses in the giga-frequency range, which are chronologically modulated. A coded information signal is obtained from these pulses.

Interrogation and responder system for identifying a target

The harness system for identification purposes has several harnesses ( ), which are provided with complementary parts ( ), which are connected with electrically conducting cables ( ), of connecting buttons in order to mechanically connect the harnesses with each other and simultaneously to provide electrical connections via the cables between detectors fastened on the harness system and other electronic components. The connecting buttons are preferably snap fasteners having respectively one head part ( ) and one hollow part ( ).

Harness system for identification purposes

A soldier (A) carries a weapon, on which a laser device ( ) is mounted, which is used for illuminating a harness device ( ) on the body of another soldier (B). The laser device and the target device each include a microprocessor as well as an ultrasound unit and/or a radio unit ( ) such that, if the laser device does not receive a response from the target device within a period of time Ta following the transmission of a bundled, coded laser beam, it transmits another laser beam with different coding, which causes the ultrasound unit and/or the radio unit of the target device to transmit an acknowledgement which can be received by the ultrasound unit and/or the radio unit of the laser device.

Identification system

A soldier carries a weapon on which a laser device ( ) is mounted, which is used for illuminating a harness device ( ) on the body of another soldier. This harness device is provided with sensors ( , . . . ), which perform detection tasks for several applications in connection with arbitrary simulation scenarios in the course of exercises and battles. The laser device ( ) has a laser target illumination element which is designed for transmitting tightly bundled laser beams ( ), as well as chopper means for transmitting laser beams which are not only coded, but also chopped at a predeterminable frequency. The sensors contain tuning means for obtaining an alternating electrical signal from the received chopped laser beams, which is supplied to a pre-amplifier connected upstream of a discriminator. A very sensitive laser identification system results due to the fact that the electrical signal obtained in this manner can be very strongly amplified.

Laser identification system

The simulation system is used in the course of firing exercises, in particular with a laser beam, for simulating conditions which would arise if actual ammunition were used. For identifying a responder device ( ), an interrogation device ( ) transmits a coded radiation, which is detected in the responder device and is converted into electrical signals, which are supplied to a central unit ( ) on the receiving end for transmitting identification messages back to the transmitting device in accordance with decisions made by this central unit ( ). The interrogation device generates laser radiation or electromagnetic pulses or pulse bursts containing information which is coded in such a way that the response pulses being sent back by the responder device to the interrogation device additionally enable a central unit ( ) on the transmitting end to calculate the distance between the interrogation device and the responder device.

Simulation system

A soldier carries a weapon on which a laser device (,) is mounted, which is used for illuminating a harness device (,) on the body of another soldier. This harness device is provided with sensors (,, . . . ), which perform detection tasks for several applications in connection with arbitrary simulation scenarios in the course of exercises and battles. The laser device (,) has a laser target illumination element which is designed for transmitting tightly bundled laser beams (,), as well as chopper means for transmitting laser beams which are not only coded, but also chopped at a predeterminable frequency. The sensors contain tuning means for obtaining an alternating electrical signal from the received chopped laser beams, which is supplied to a pre-amplifier connected upstream of a discriminator. A very sensitive laser identification system results due to the fact that the electrical signal obtained in this manner can be very strongly amplified.

The combat communication system is used for 'identification friend or foe', firing simulation during practice, and/or combat aiming for live night shooting. Each participant wears a harness comprising light detectors and control units, as well as a laser assembly mounted to a weapon. For firing simulation or identification, a participant aims his weapon at a potential target and sends a laser signal. When the target is another participant wearing a harness, his harness answers via a radio, ultrasonic or light signal. The carrier frequency of the response signal can be determined and transmitted by the querying unit over the laser beam.

Combat communication system

An improved battlefield simulation system based upon continuous wave lasers. The system uses continuous wave lasers and high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to simulate weapons. A continuous wave laser energy beam is coded using pulse-code modulation (PCM) and pulse-pause modulation (PPM) so that the agent is uniquely identified, as well as the type of weapon responsible for the light beam. The present system provides improved eye safety, improved sensitivity, improved realism, and improved data transfer.

Continuous wave laser battlefield simulation system

The harness comprises a plurality of elements, such as light detectors, a laser emitter and a master control unit. The elements are communicating by means of ultrasonic signals. Such signals provide a secure communication over a short distance while being impossible to detect from larger distances. Upon initialization of the harness, the master control unit initializes all elements to respond to a common identification code, which identification code can be updated automatically during later operation.

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Berikon, Switzerland

Peter Gerber