EP3139125B1 - Drone defence installation for repelling unknown drones - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a defense system for the defense against foreign drones. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drone defense system for the defense against foreign drones, wherein the drone defense system advantageously comprises a defense system, as mentioned above. Finally, the invention relates to a method for the defense against foreign drones.
Drones in the form of multicopters are known from the prior art. Such multicopters can be produced inexpensively and have become a mass-produced product. Known multicopters can be provided with payloads, in particular with cameras, GPS modules or active agents, in particular explosives. Thus, such drones can fly away waypoints and record scenes from the air. A prior art drone defense system is off US 9,085,362 B1 known. Due to the general availability of such powerful systems but also unwanted incidents can not be ruled out. In this way, drones in the form of multicopters can be used to scan sensitive areas such as nuclear power stations, embassies or stadiums filled with people. This poses a potential security risk which is unobservable to prior art means. Particularly critical is the appearance of drones in a swarm.
In the context of the invention and the following description are viewed under drones multicopter and also remotely controlled or autonomous flying aircraft. In particular, such drones, multicopter or aircraft propeller driven. A maximum weight of a drone is preferably 5 kg, in particular 10 kg, advantageously 25 kg, particularly preferably 50 kg. It is an object of the invention to provide a defense system for the defense of foreign drones and a corresponding drone defense system, with a simple and cost-effective production and assembly a safe and reliable Defense of foreign drones allowed. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide such a method.

The problem is solved by a drone defense system according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 8. Thus, the problem is not solved by only one defense system for the defense against foreign drones. The defense system includes at least one defense drone. The defensive drone is advantageously a drone, as previously described. Particularly advantageous is the defense drone propeller driven, the drive of the defense drone allows levitation of the defense drone in the air. In addition, it is advantageously provided that with the defensive drone a payload is transportable, at least one third of the dead weight of the defense drone, preferably at least one half of the dead weight of the defense drone, particularly advantageously at least the entire weight of the defense drone corresponds. Furthermore, the defense system comprises a trapping device. With the trapping device to be defended third drone is trappable. In this way, it is particularly preventable that the foreign drone to be defended recoils uncontrollably on the earth's surface. According to the invention it is provided that the catching device is attached to the defense drone. Thus, the defense system allows a defense against foreign drones even in areas where a crash of drones or drones parts is to be prevented. These may, in particular, be areas where crowds of people gather. With the defense system according to the invention can thus also ward off foreign drones, which are located over crowds. In doing so, a threat to the human population is excluded.
The dependent claims have preferred developments of the invention to the content. It is preferably provided that the trapping device is a network. The network is especially designed so stable that the network of a propeller of the foreign drone is not destructible. In particular, the network may take the form of a pot to accommodate a foreign drone therein. Alternatively, the network of several, in particular at least two, interception drones can be tensioned in order to influence a trajectory of the foreign drone. For this purpose, the intercepting drones particularly preferably have a communication device, via which a tuning of the individual intercepting drones is made possible. On This ensures that the network always remains in a tensioned state.
In order to be able to fly to the foreign drone, the intercepting drones particularly advantageously have a data link. In particular signals can be received via the data link which are necessary for approaching the foreign drone. Such signals can advantageously be a position, a height and / or a speed of the foreign drone. Alternatively, it is provided that the defense drone has at least one sensor. With the sensor advantageously the foreign drone is detectable. The sensor may in particular be an optical sensor or a radar sensor. The sensor allows the defense drone to autonomously approach the foreign drone and thus to fend off.

The present invention relates inter alia to a drone defense system for the defense against foreign drones from a surveillance space. The drone defense system includes a sensor unit, a defensive unit, and a control unit. The sensor unit may in particular comprise a multiplicity of sensor systems. It is provided that with each, in particular with each individual, sensor system of the interstitial space is scanned. The defensive unit may comprise a plurality of defense systems, wherein at least one defense system is the defense system as previously described. The control unit is used to control the sensor unit and the defensive unit. It is provided that the plurality of sensor systems is set up to detect at least one foreign drone. The detection of the foreign drone by the sensor system takes place in particular when the foreign drone is located within the interstitial space. The multitude of defense systems is set up to combat at least one foreign drone. It is understood in the context of the invention under control that the foreign drone is removed from the interstitial space or destroyed. The control unit is finally set up to activate at least one sensor system from the plurality of sensor systems for scanning the interstitial space. Furthermore, the control device is set up to deactivate the remaining sensor systems of the sensor unit and, in particular, to reactivate them when needed. Furthermore, the control device is set up to select at least one defensive unit for acting in the interstitial space. Thus, the Drone defense system to provide a variety of different sensor systems and / or defense systems. It is possible to adapt the sensor system and / or defense system to be used to a current position. In particular, a decision as to which sensor system and which defense system is to be used can be taken autonomously by the control unit. In this way, a safe and reliable defense against foreign drones from the interstitial space is guaranteed.

The control unit is particularly advantageously designed to select the at least one defense unit and / or the at least one sensor unit on the basis of features of the surveillance space and / or an environment of the surveillance space. Thus, the choice of the defense unit and / or the sensor unit can be adapted to local conditions. In particular, the defensive unit can be selected on the basis of a number and / or size of the foreign drones. In addition, the defense unit is advantageously selectable based on features of the subsurface under the surveillance space. If there are people on the ground underneath the surveillance area, it is provided in particular that a defense system is selected in which a threat to humans is excluded. Likewise, the choice of the sensor system is advantageously adaptable to an environment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor systems are mobile and / or static. Thus, the sensor systems can be advantageously installed on another foreign drone. Alternatively, the sensor systems are ground-based, particularly advantageous easily deployable in a container. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the sensor systems are connected wirelessly or wired to the control unit. In this way, a plurality of sensor systems can be easily connected to the control unit so that the control unit can select from a wide variety of existing sensor systems.

The control unit is preferably set up to perform a classification of detected foreign drones on the basis of data from the sensor unit. On the basis of this classification, in particular a degree of criticality of the fight against the individual foreign drones can be determined. Into the classification flows advantageously a size, a speed, an altitude and / or a current course of the foreign drone. Thus, by means of the control unit can be a detailed and meaningful picture of the situation.

The plurality of sensor systems advantageously comprises radar sensor systems and / or infrared sensor systems and / or imaging sensor systems and / or LIDAR sensor systems and / or LADAR sensor systems and / or acoustic sensor systems and / or sensor systems for detecting an electromagnetic signature. With the acoustic sensor systems, a sound emission of the foreign drone is advantageously determined. Said acoustic emission is particularly advantageous for a certain type of foreign drones. By means of sensor systems for detecting electromagnetic signatures, in particular such a foreign drone can be detected, which has a data link to a ground station. Alternatively, the sensor system for detecting an electromagnetic signature is set up to detect signatures of on-board electronics of the foreign drone.

Likewise, it is preferably provided that the multiplicity of defense systems comprises laser weapon systems and / or guided missiles and / or microwave systems and / or electrical jammer systems. It is advantageously provided that a guided missile defense system comprises guided missiles, which have a maximum length of two meters, preferably of one meter. With laser weapon systems in particular a directional laser beam can be emitted, with which the foreign drone is destructible. The microwave defense systems are advantageously directed high-power microwave defense systems in which disruption or destruction of the foreign drone by high-energy microwaves. The electrical jammer systems advantageously include such defense systems with which a data link or an on-board electronics or a navigation data receiver, in particular a GPS receiver, the third-party drone is disturbed or destroyed. This disturbance is advantageously carried out by superimposing the own signals of the foreign drone with interference signals, wherein the interference signals are emitted with a high transmission power. Alternatively or additionally, the electric jamming systems include such defense systems that manipulate navigation data, in particular GPS data, whereby a course of the foreign drone can be influenced. Likewise, it is advantageously provided that a Radio remote control or a data link of the foreign drone via a defense system of the drone defense system can be decrypted, whereby the control of the foreign drone can be adopted. Analogous to the sensor systems, in particular the multitude of defense systems is mobile or stationary. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of defense systems are connected wirelessly or wired to the control unit. Thus, a large number of defense systems are available to the control unit, so that the control unit can use a defense system selected from the plurality for the environment and / or a current threat situation.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for the defense against foreign drones from a surveillance space. The method comprises the following steps: First of all, provision is made of a multiplicity of sensor systems, with each sensor system being able to scan the interstitial space. The sensor systems are, in particular, sensor systems as described above. Subsequently, the step of providing a plurality of defense systems takes place, wherein at least one defense system is in particular a defense system as described above. Subsequently, the activation of at least one sensor takes place, wherein at the same time a deactivation of the remaining sensor systems of the plurality of sensor systems takes place. Thus, a selection of the at least one sensor system that is to be activated, from the plurality of sensor systems. Such a selection is made in particular on the basis of local conditions. By the appropriate choice of the sensor system or the sensor systems, a safe and reliable sampling of the interstitial space is available. Finally, it is provided that a selection of at least one defense system takes place for acting in the surveillance space. Again, the selection is advantageously based on local conditions. These local conditions are, in particular, features of the interstitial space and / or an environment of the interstitial space. Thus, especially in the case where the interstitial space is filled by a swarm of foreign drones, a different defense system can be selected than in the case where only a single foreign drone is present in the interstice space. Also, the selection of the defense system may depend on whether on a subsoil below Persons, in particular civilians, are present in the interstitial space, so that a drop-off of the foreign drone or debris parts of the foreign drone is to be avoided. Thus, with the inventive method a safe and reliable defense against foreign drones from the interstitial space given.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Abbildung einer Drohnenabwehranlage gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht eines Abwehrsystems gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Abbildung eines Abwehrsystems gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Abbildung eines Abwehrsystems gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

a schematic illustration of a drone defense system according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a defense system according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a schematic illustration of a defense system according to a second embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 4

a schematic illustration of a defense system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a drone defense system 1 for the defense against foreign drones 9, 10 from a surveillance space 15. In Fig. 1 a first foreign drone 9 and a second foreign drone 10 is shown, wherein both the first foreign drone 9 and the second foreign drone 10 penetrate into the interstitial space 15 without authorization. The first foreign drone 9 is in particular an autonomously flying aircraft, while the second foreign drone 10 represents a multicopter. Both the first foreign drone 9 and the second foreign drone 10 have a maximum take-off weight of 50 kg.

The drone defense system 1 comprises a control unit 4 with which a sensor unit 2 and a defensive unit 3 can be controlled. The control unit thus represents a communication system and a guidance system.

The sensor unit 2 comprises in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, a first sensor system 5 and a second sensor system 6. In the first Sensor system 5 is a radar system, while the second sensor system 6 is an imaging sensor. Alternatively, the sensor unit 2 comprises further optical sensor systems and / or LIDAR sensor systems and / or LADAR sensor systems and / or acoustic sensor systems and / or sensor systems for detecting the electromagnetic signature of the first foreign drone 9 or the second foreign drone 10.

The sensor systems 5, 6 are connected wirelessly or by wire to the control unit 4. In the in Fig. 1 As shown, both the first sensor system 5 and the second sensor system 6 are wirelessly connected to the control unit 4. Thus, in addition to the sensor-typical hardware and software, the sensor systems 5, 6 also each have a communication unit which enables the connection to the control unit 4. The sensor systems 5, 6 deliver and receive via this communication unit information and commands, in particular image data, status data and / or control signals, in a predefined data format to and from the control unit 4. The information from the sensor systems 5, 6 can thus be handled by the control unit to use in analyzing a threat situation.

It is from the Fig. 1 It can be seen that with the sensor systems 5, 6 the monitoring space 15 can be scanned. In order to scan the monitoring space 15, the sensor systems 5, 6 can be both mobile and stationary. Particularly advantageously, the sensor systems 5, 6 are designed to be easily laid, in particular in a container. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor systems 5, 6 are mounted on flying platforms, so that a simple and complete scanning of the interstitial space 15 is made possible.

The defensive unit 3 comprises in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, a first defense system 7 and a second defense system 8. It is provided that the first defense system 7 comprises a interceptor drone 11, 12, 13, which hereinafter with respect to Fig. 2 to 4 is explained. The second defense system 8 advantageously comprises a laser weapon system with which a directed laser beam can be guided for destruction on the first foreign drone 9 or the second foreign drone 10. Alternatively or additionally, the defense unit 3 comprises a defense system comprising a guided missile. Such a thing Missile defense system is advantageously designed for launching missiles, the missiles have a maximum length of two meters, preferably of a maximum of one meter. It is likewise provided that the defensive unit alternatively or additionally has microwave defense systems which destroy the first foreign drone 9 and / or the second foreign drone 10, in particular by emitting high-energy microwaves. Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally provided that the defense unit 3 has such defense systems that disturb a data link, an on-board electronics, a navigation receiver, in particular a GPS receiver, or a radio remote control of the first foreign drone 9 and / or the second foreign drone 10 or manipulate. Thus, in particular by so-called GPS spoofing, a course can be influenced by the foreign drones 9, 10 by sending manipulated GPS signals to the foreign drones 9, 10.

Analogous to the sensor systems 5, 6, the defense systems 7, 8 are connected either wireless or wired to the control unit 4. In the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the first defense system 7 and the second defense system 8 are connected wirelessly to the control unit 4. For this purpose, the defense systems 7, 8 in addition to the defense system typical hardware and software also each have a communication unit via which the connection to the control unit 4 is possible. The defense systems 7, 8 deliver and receive information and commands, in particular image data, status data and / or control signals, in a predefined data format to and from the control unit 4 via this communication unit. The defense systems 7, 8 can be both mobile and stationary. Particularly advantageously, the defense systems are easily placed in a container.

The control unit 4 is configured to process the information supplied by the sensor unit 2. Thus, the control unit 4 detects information about the approaching foreign drones 9, 10 in order to control the defense unit 3 to defend the foreign drones 9, 10 can. A classification for the decision on the initiation of countermeasures is advantageously carried out via an optical identification or by a correlation of acoustic signals or by an electromagnetic signature of the foreign drones 9, 10 in each case by means of adjustment from an existing database over well-known foreign drones.

From the control unit is, in particular depending on a current threat and local conditions, from the plurality of sensor systems 5, 6, a sensor system 5, 6 selectable, which is to be used for scanning the ambient space 15. Since the type and number of sensor systems 5, 6, which can be integrated into the sensor unit 2, and thus can be connected to the control unit 4, are not limited by an open system architecture, an efficient and secure detection of the foreign drones 9, 10 is made possible , Thus, in particular, depending on environmental conditions or threat situations, the use of different sensor systems makes sense. In particular, the second sensor system 6 comprising imaging sensors is not suitable at night. By contrast, the second sensor system 6 comprising imaging sensors can be superior to the first sensor system 5 comprising radar sensors by day.

The control unit 4 is therefore designed to evaluate the sensor systems available for the respective application and to select the most suitable sensor system 5, 6. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the control unit 4 evaluates information supplied by all the sensor systems 5, 6 in order to determine from this the most suitable signal. In particular, the sensor data are selected which are most suitable and most reliable due to the local situation.

In addition, the control unit 4 is set up to select a defense system 7, 8 for controlling the foreign drones 9, 10 from the multiplicity of defense systems 7, 8. Again, not every defense system 7, 8 makes sense for use under the given conditions. Thus, in particular, a firing of the foreign drones 9, 10 by a suitable defense system 7, 8 then not useful when the foreign drones 9, 10 are about crowds. In this case, the control unit 4 is arranged to select a defense system 7, 8, which according to the Fig. 2 to 4 is trained.

By the sensible combination and coupling of the various sensor systems 5, 6 and defense systems 7, 8, the probability of successful control of the foreign drones 9, 10 is increased.

The control unit 4 sends and receives information and commands in the predefined data format from and to the sensor systems 5, 6 and defense systems 7, 8. It is provided that the control unit 4 is self-sufficient. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 4 may be connected via a communication module with external command states. Furthermore, the control unit 4 can send and receive information and commands in the predefined data format from and to the interception drones 11, 12, 13.

Fig. 2 shows a defense system 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this case, the defense system 7 comprises a capture drone 11. Furthermore, the defense system 7 comprises a trapping device 14 with which a foreign drone 10 can be caught. In the Fig. 2 shown foreign drone 10 corresponds to the second foreign drone 10 off Fig. 1 ,

The catching device 14 is attached to the defense drone 11. For this purpose, the trapping device 14 is designed as a network, so that the foreign drone 10 is trappable with the network.

It is envisaged that the network is designed so stable that the foreign drone 10, in particular propeller of the foreign drone 10, not destroy the net of the trapping device 14.

The defensive drone 11 is in particular designed such that it can accommodate at least a third, preferably at least one half, particularly advantageously at least the complete weight of the defense drone 11 as a payload. By means of the defense system 7, the foreign drone 10 is thus removable from the monitoring space 15.

The 3 and 4 show a second and a third embodiment of the defense system 7. In the second embodiment, the in Fig. 3 is shown, in addition to the first defensive drone 11, a second defensive drone 12 is present. The The first defense drone 11 and the second defense drone 12 clamp the trapping device 14 designed as a network. It is provided that the first defense drone 11 and the second defense drone 12 communicate via a communication means, so that the network is always taut. In addition, a movement of the first defense drone 11 and the second defense drone 12 can be synchronized via the communication means. Again, by means of the catching device 14, the foreign drone 10 can be captured or, alternatively, influence a course of the foreign drone 10.

In Fig. 4 a third embodiment is shown, which is formed analogously to the second embodiment, wherein in addition a third defensive drone 13 is provided for mounting the net trapping device 14.

The defense drones 11, 12, 13 have, in particular, a data link via which the defense drones 11, 12, 13 can receive signals from the control unit 4. Thus, the defense drones 11, 12, 13 are controllable by the control unit 4, so that a position and / or a course and / or a speed of the foreign drone 10 of the control unit 4 to the defense drones 11, 12, 13 are transferable. Alternatively or additionally, the defense drones 11, 12, 13 preferably have at least one sensor with which the foreign drone 10 can be detected. In this case, the defense drones 11, 12, 13 can operate independently of the control unit 4.

In addition to the above written description of the invention is to the additional disclosure hereby explicitly to the drawings of the invention in the Fig. 1 to 4 Referenced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Drones defense system

2

sensor unit

3

defense unit

4

control unit

5

First sensor system

6

Second sensor system

7

First defense system

8th

Second defense system

9

First foreign drone

10

Second foreign drone

11

First defense drone

12

Second defense drone

13

Third defense drone

14

trapping

15

monitoring room

Claims (8)

1. Drone defence system (1) for repelling unknown drones (9, 10) from a monitoring space, comprising:

   - a sensor unit (2) having a multiplicity of sensor systems (5, 6), wherein the monitoring space (15) can be scanned with each sensor system (5, 6) and the multiplicity of sensor systems (5, 6) are arranged to detect the unknown drones (9, 10),

   - a repelling unit (3) having a multiplicity of repelling systems (7, 8) which are arranged to combat the unknown drones (9, 10), wherein at least one of the repelling systems (7, 8) has at least one repelling drone (11, 12, 13) and a capturing apparatus (14) which is affixed to the repelling drone (11, 12, 13) and by which the unknown drone (9, 10) can be captured, and

   - a control unit (4) for driving and/or receiving signals of the sensor unit (2) and the repelling unit (3),

   characterised in that the control unit (4) is arranged to select and activate at least one sensor system (5, 6) for scanning the monitoring space (15) on the basis of features of the monitoring space (15) and/or an area surrounding the monitoring space (15), and to deactivate the remaining sensor systems (5, 6) of the sensor unit (2), and to select from the multiplicity of the repelling systems (7, 8) at least one repelling system (7, 8) for acting upon the monitoring space (15) on the basis of features of an area surrounding the monitoring space (15).
2. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the sensor systems (5, 6) are mobile or stationary and/or are connected in a wireless or wired manner to the control unit (4).
3. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the control unit (4) is arranged to carry out a classification of detected unknown drones (9, 10) on the basis of data from the sensor unit (2).
4. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the multiplicity of sensor systems (5, 6) comprise radar sensor systems and/or infrared sensor systems and/or imaging sensor systems and/or LIDAR sensor systems and/or LADAR sensor systems and/or acoustic sensor systems and/or sensor systems for detecting an electromagnetic signature.
5. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the multiplicity of repelling systems (7, 8) comprise laser weapon systems and/or guided missile systems and/or microwave repelling systems and/or electrical jamming systems.
6. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capturing apparatus (14) is a net.
7. Drone defence system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the repelling drone (11, 12, 13) has at least one sensor for detecting the unknown drones (9, 10).
8. Method for repelling unknown drones (9, 10) from a monitoring space (15), comprising the steps of:

   - providing a multiplicity of sensor systems (5, 6), wherein the monitoring space can be scanned with each sensor system (5, 6),

   - providing a multiplicity of repelling systems (7, 8), wherein at least one repelling system has at least one repelling drone (11, 12, 13) and a capturing apparatus (14) which is affixed to the repelling drone (11, 12, 13) and by which the unknown drone (9, 10) can be captured,

   - selecting and activating at least one sensor system (5, 6) for scanning the monitoring space (15) on the basis of features of the monitoring space (15) and/or an area surrounding the monitoring space (15), and deactivating the remaining sensor systems (5, 6), and

   - selecting from the multiplicity of repelling systems (7, 8) at least one repelling system (7, 8) for acting upon the monitoring space (15) on the basis of features of an area surrounding the monitoring space (15).

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