IL121274A - Data insertion system for modulating the carrier wave of a radio voice transmitter with missile control signals - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for utilizing a regular intercom/radio voice communication device (11) for transmitting control signals from a control site to a missile radio receiver and computer control comprising: a data insertion unit (10) including a data processor (21), a modem (17) for converting the output signals of said data processor to audio signals, an audio control יריעה מס' 22 6/2002 (18), and a keypad (14), the data processor being preprogrammed for control of the missile, the keypad being manually operable to provide control signals in accordance with the coordinates of a target, a headset (22) including a microphone connected to said audio control, the audio signal output of said modem being fed to said audio control, and means for controlling said audio control to alternatively feed either the output of said headset microphone or the output of said modem to said intercom/radio communication device. יריעה מס' 23 6/2002

Description

121274/2 nips mm* oj> 'ΐηρ/ τι ητ¾»ο N¾mn an αυ o ns nt7_on nsivo Data insertion system for modulating the carrier wave of a radio voice transmitter with missile control signals Leigh Aerosystems Corporation C. 107339 - 1 - 121274/2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to missile control systems and more particularly to a communications system for transmitting control signals for such a system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Systems for transmitting control signals for controlling the flight of a missile once it is launched are generally sent on a separate radio or laser carrier which is used solely for this purpose. Such systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,196 issued Mar. 27, 1979 to Schultz and U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,334 issued Dec. 13, 1994 to Cuadros. The use of a separate communications link for the missile control operation necessitates the use of an additional transmitter and receiver. Radio amateurs recognizing the need to use the radio spectrum as efficiently as possible have employed their normal radio communications carriers in packet radio wherein the same carrier is simultaneously used for multiple communications. To applicants' knowledge, however, no one has derived a system for utilizing the radio communications transmitter of an aircraft for transmitting control signals for controlling the flight of a missile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system in which the regular radio communications transmitter of an aircraft or other control site is used to transmit the control signals for controlling the flight of a missile launched from the aircraft or some other site. This end result is achieved by employing a data insertion unit, typically located on the aircraft, and which includes a hand-held - 2 - 121274/2 microcomputer having a data processor and a modem for converting the computer signals to audio for transmission on the radio communications carrier of the aircraft. The data processor is preprogrammed for control of the missile and control signals as to the target coordinates are entered into the data processor by means of a keypad operated by the pilot. The audio output of the modem is used to modulate the carrier of the radio transmitter and is received and utilized by a computer on the missile to control the flight of the missile. A display screen and tone are provided to prompt the pilot when the microcomputer is ready to transmit so that the pilot can then switch to a separate frequency used for the missile control and activate his radio "push-to talk" button to enable transmission to the missile flight control computer. When the transmission of the microcomputer has been completed, a second signal and display is received prompting the pilot to release the transmit button. As long as the communications radio is tuned to the missile control frequency, the pilot can monitor transmissions from the missile computer.

It is therefore an object of this invention to enable the use of the regular communications transmitter of an aircraft for transmitting signals for controlling a missile.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent in connection with the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The sole FIGURE is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring to the sole FIGURE, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

Data Insertion Unit (DIU) 10 is preferably a hand-held battery powered micro-computer with a built in modem and audio relay subsystem. A commercially - 3 - 121274/4 available unit such as the model no. 4010 manufactured by Octagon Systems, Westminster, Colo, may be employed. This unit may be strapped to the leg of the pilot to facilitate its handling.

The audio output of the DIU is fed from audio control 18 to the intercom/radio 11 of the aircraft (or other control site). This audio output is fed from an internal modem 17 to audio control 18. Voice signals of the pilot are fed from headset 22 to audio control 18. The audio control 18 of the DIU is placed between the pilot's headset/mic cable and the intercom system using the same type of connector ordinarily used without the DIU.

The DIU utilizes the internal modem 17 which may be 1200 baud to convert the digital information generated by data processor 21 representing target information and commands for the missile into an audio signal which is transmitted by intercom/radio 11 to radio and computer 20 on the missile. The computer 20 has a modem similar to modem 17, and signals can be sent back to DIU 10 from the transmitter of the radio and computer 20. The pilot can use keypad 14 to enter data representing target coordinates into the processor 21. LCD display 15 indicates to the pilot when to activate the radio transmitter to transmit signals to radio and computer 20.

The system is operated as follows: Using menu options, the pilot selects the weapon station desired and downloads the targeting information into data processor 21 with keypad 14. The data processor 21 then provides a control signal to audio control 18 which connects the audio output of modem 17 to intercom/radio 11 and disconnects the headset 22 therefrom. At the appropriate time the DIU notifies the pilot that it is ready to communicate by providing a prompting signal on display 15 and a tone signal to the pilot's headset. Upon receiving this notification, the pilot actuates push to talk switch 26 so that the audio output of the DIU is transmitted by the radio transmitter of intercom/radio 11 to radio and computer 20. At the end of this transmission the DIU will notify the pilot by a different tone and display which will prompt the pilot to release push to talk switch 26. It is to be noted that prior to pushing the push to talk switch, the radio of intercom/radio 11 must be tuned to the - 4 - 121274/2 frequency of the radio of radio and computer 20. A signal is sent from radio and computer 20 notifying that the transmission was received by transmitting similar date back. When the transmission is completed, the data processor controls audio control 18 to reconnect the pilot headset to the intercom/radio 11 and disconnect the modem therefrom.

The pilot can stay tuned to the frequency of the radio and computer 20 if it is desired to monitor transmissions from the radio.

It is to be noted that while the system of the invention has been described in connection with an aircraft site, it may also be used at other sites such as ground stations, ground vehicles or ships.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A system for utilizing a regular intercom/radio voice communication device for transmitting control signals from a control site to a missile radio receiver and computer control comprising: 5 a data insertion unit including a data processor, a modem for converting the output signals of said data processor to audio signals, an audio control, and a keypad, the data processor being preprogrammed for control of the missile, the keypad being manually operable to provide control signals in accordance with the l o coordinates of a target, a headset including a microphone connected to said audio control, the audio signal output of said modem being fed to said audio control, and means for controlling said audio control to alternatively feed either the output of said headset microphone or the output of said modem to said 15 intercom/radio communication device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for controlling said audio control comprises the data processor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said control site is an aircraft.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a visual display 0 for indicating when the output of said modem is being fed to the intercom/radio voice communications system.

5. The system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the data insertion unit is located at said control site.

6. A method for alternatively utilizing a radio communication system either 5 for voice communications or for the transmission of audio control signals generated by a computer for controlling a missile comprising: connecting the audio output of said computer to an audio control switching device, connecting a microphone to said audio control switching device, - 6 - 121274/2 connecting the output of said audio control switching device to the radio communications system, and controlling said audio control switching device to alternatively either connect the output of said computer or the output of said microphone to the radio communications system for transmission thereby.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the audio control switching device is controlled by a microprocessor in said computer. For the Applicants, REINHOLD COHN AND PARTNERS J:\01073394\01073394 00008 SPC.doc/ 10/10/2001