CN114978280B - Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework - Google Patents
Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN114978280B CN114978280B CN202210491170.9A CN202210491170A CN114978280B CN 114978280 B CN114978280 B CN 114978280B CN 202210491170 A CN202210491170 A CN 202210491170A CN 114978280 B CN114978280 B CN 114978280B
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- antenna array
- subsystem
- multifunctional
- aperture
- radio frequency
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
- H04B7/18502—Airborne stations
- H04B7/18506—Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
- G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/86—Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
- H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
- H01Q1/285—Aircraft wire antennas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
- H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
- H04K3/60—Jamming involving special techniques
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
- H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
- H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
- H04K3/82—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection
- H04K3/825—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection by jamming
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
- H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
- H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
- H04K3/90—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to allowing or preventing navigation or positioning, e.g. GPS
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
- Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks
Abstract
The application relates to an airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor architecture, and belongs to the field of airborne equipment design. The architecture comprises a terminal perception subsystem, a radar subsystem and an electronic countermeasure subsystem, wherein the terminal perception subsystem comprises a distributed aperture and a multifunctional antenna array, the distributed aperture carries out imaging processing on a target through a photoelectric alarm so as to obtain azimuth information of the target, the multifunctional antenna array is used for obtaining position information of the target, and the multifunctional antenna array and the distributed aperture are connected with a signal processing platform; the electronic countermeasure subsystem comprises an antenna aperture and an electronic countermeasure processing frame, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the electronic countermeasure processing frame to receive video signals or transmit electronic interference information; the radar subsystem comprises a radar antenna aperture and a radio frequency front end, and the radio frequency front end carries out long-distance detection on a forward target through the radar antenna aperture. This application has improved unmanned aerial vehicle's viability, has alleviateed unmanned aerial vehicle radio frequency sensor's volume weight consumption.
Description
Technical Field
The application belongs to the field of design of airborne equipment, and particularly relates to an airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework which is equipment used for being matched with an airplane or being installed on the airplane.
Background
The architecture of the radio frequency sensor on the airplane refers to the functional division of the subsystems of the radio frequency sensor on the airplane and the integration mode of the subsystems. The traditional radio frequency sensor on the airplane is mainly divided into a radar subsystem, a communication navigation subsystem and an electronic countermeasure subsystem, and cannot completely meet the requirement of airplane terminal defense, which is mainly caused by the following defects:
(1) The existing airplane does not have the capability of detecting and positioning the target in a 4 pi space (the 4 pi space is a spherical space with the airplane as the center), and only can obtain the azimuth information of the target through a Distributed Aperture System (DAS).
(2) After the short-distance target positioning aperture is increased, the layout position of the aircraft platform antenna is tense, and the aircraft platform antenna needs to be comprehensively designed with the inter-aircraft communication antenna aperture.
(3) With the increase of functional requirements, the volume, weight and power consumption brought by the on-board sensor are also increasing.
(4) The antenna aperture needs time to search the target when the target is positioned, so that the best avoiding time of the target can be missed.
Disclosure of Invention
In order to solve the problems, the application provides an airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework, so that an airplane has the capability of target detection and positioning, and the viability of the airplane is enhanced.
The airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor architecture mainly comprises a terminal sensing subsystem, a radar subsystem and an electronic countermeasure subsystem, wherein the terminal sensing subsystem comprises a distributed aperture and a multifunctional antenna array, the distributed aperture carries out imaging processing on a target through a photoelectric alarm so as to obtain azimuth information of the target, the multifunctional antenna array positions the target according to the azimuth information of the target and obtains position information of the target after signal processing, the multifunctional antenna array is connected with a target detection processing module of a signal processing platform, and the distributed aperture is connected with an image processing module of the signal processing platform; the multifunctional antenna array is also connected with a communication identification subsystem, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the communication identification subsystem to carry out communication among aircraft in the formation of the aircraft; the electronic countermeasure subsystem comprises an antenna aperture and an electronic countermeasure processing frame, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the electronic countermeasure processing frame to receive video signals or transmit electronic interference information; the radar subsystem comprises a radar antenna aperture and a radio frequency front end, and the radio frequency front end performs long-distance detection on a forward target through the radar antenna aperture; the radio frequency front end, the communication identification subsystem and the electronic countermeasure processing rack are respectively connected with a general signal processing module of a signal processing platform, and the signal processing platform outputs data of the terminal sensing subsystem, the radar subsystem and the electronic countermeasure subsystem.
Preferably, the distributed aperture of the end sensing subsystem is interconnected with the multifunctional antenna array by point-to-point optical fibers.
Preferably, the multifunction antenna array comprises a plurality of MFAs, each configured to detect in a different direction.
Preferably, the plurality of MFAs of the multifunction antenna array are configured to:
performing active detection based on the whole antenna array surface;
carrying out electronic self-defense detection based on a front surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs at the middle part of the multifunctional antenna array;
conducting guidance chain communication based on an array surface formed by a plurality of MFAs in the upper half part of the multifunctional antenna array;
performing azimuth alarm and pitching alarm resolution based on an array surface formed by the uppermost MFA and an array surface formed by the rightmost MFA of the multifunctional antenna array;
and performing directional chain communication based on a front surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs in the right half part of the multifunctional antenna array.
Preferably, each MFA of the multi-function antenna array is arranged to cover all frequency bands of radar detection and inter-machine communication.
Preferably, the communication identification subsystem comprises a communication identification antenna and a communication identification processing rack, the communication identification antenna is connected with the communication identification processing rack through a radio frequency cable, and each MFA of the multifunctional antenna array is connected with the communication identification rack through a point-to-point optical fiber.
Preferably, the antenna aperture of the electronic countermeasure subsystem includes a low-frequency-band warning skin aperture, an electronic countermeasure skin aperture and a high-frequency-band warning skin aperture, and the electronic countermeasure processing rack of the electronic countermeasure subsystem is connected with each MFA of the multifunctional antenna array by using a point-to-point optical fiber.
Preferably, the information output by the signal processing platform includes target location information, alarm information and communication information.
The application can realize the detection and positioning of targets such as missiles and the like in the 4 pi space, improves the viability of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and simultaneously adopts a multifunctional integrated design, so that the volume, weight and power consumption of the radio frequency sensor of the unmanned aerial vehicle are reduced, and the problem of position contradiction of multi-antenna aperture layout is solved.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a system architecture diagram of a preferred embodiment of an on-board multifunctional integrated rf sensor architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.
Fig. 2 is a functional distribution diagram of the multifunctional antenna array according to the embodiment of the present application shown in fig. 1.
Detailed Description
In order to make the implementation objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all embodiments of the present application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to be used for explaining the present application and should not be construed as limiting the present application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without any inventive work based on the embodiments in the present application are within the scope of protection of the present application. Embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
The application provides an airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor architecture, as shown in fig. 1, which mainly comprises a terminal perception subsystem, a radar subsystem and an electronic countermeasure subsystem, wherein the terminal perception subsystem comprises a distributed aperture and a multifunctional antenna array, the distributed aperture carries out imaging processing on a target through a photoelectric alarm so as to obtain azimuth information of the target, the multifunctional antenna array positions the target according to the azimuth information of the target and obtains position information of the target after signal processing, the multifunctional antenna array is connected with a target detection processing module of a signal processing platform, and the distributed aperture is connected with an image processing module of the signal processing platform; the multifunctional antenna array is also connected with a communication identification subsystem, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the communication identification subsystem to carry out inter-aircraft communication in the formation of the aircraft; the electronic countermeasure subsystem comprises an antenna aperture and an electronic countermeasure processing rack, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the electronic countermeasure processing rack to receive video signals or transmit electronic interference information; the radar subsystem comprises a radar antenna aperture and a radio frequency front end, and the radio frequency front end carries out long-distance detection on a forward target through the radar antenna aperture; the radio frequency front end, the communication identification subsystem and the electronic countermeasure processing rack are respectively connected with a general signal processing module of a signal processing platform, and the signal processing platform outputs data of the terminal sensing subsystem, the radar subsystem and the electronic countermeasure subsystem.
The distributed aperture is connected with the multifunctional antenna array, the distributed aperture utilizes infrared detection to guide the multifunctional antenna array to detect and position a target, the communication identification subsystem does not comprise an inter-machine communication antenna aperture, and the multifunctional antenna array is connected with the communication identification rack to replace the original inter-machine communication antenna aperture function. The multifunctional antenna array covers the frequency band of radar detection and inter-machine communication, has an electronic countermeasure function in the frequency band, is connected with the electronic countermeasure processing rack, and replaces the aperture of the electronic countermeasure antenna in the original frequency band.
In some alternative embodiments, the distributed aperture of the end sensing subsystem is interconnected with the multifunction antenna array by point-to-point optical fibers.
In some alternative embodiments, the multifunction antenna array includes a plurality of MFAs, each configured to detect in a different direction.
In some alternative embodiments, the multifunctional antenna array of the present application has close range object detection, inter-aircraft communication, electronic reconnaissance and electronic interference capabilities, and particularly as shown in fig. 2, in order to save power, the multiple MFAs of the multifunctional antenna array are configured to: performing active detection based on the whole antenna array surface; carrying out electronic self-defense detection based on an array surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs at the middle part of the multifunctional antenna array; conducting guidance chain communication based on an array surface formed by a plurality of MFAs in the upper half part of the multifunctional antenna array; performing azimuth alarm and pitching alarm resolution based on an array surface formed by the uppermost MFA and an array surface formed by the rightmost MFA of the multifunctional antenna array; and performing directional chain communication based on a front surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs in the right half part of the multifunctional antenna array.
In some alternative embodiments, each MFA of the multi-function antenna array is configured to cover all frequency bands for radar detection and inter-machine communication.
In some alternative embodiments, the communication identification subsystem includes a communication identification antenna and a communication identification processing rack, the communication identification antenna and the communication identification processing rack are connected by radio frequency lines, and each MFA of the multi-function antenna array and the communication identification rack are connected by point-to-point optical fibers.
In some optional embodiments, the antenna aperture of the electronic countermeasure subsystem includes a low-band warning skin aperture, an electronic countermeasure skin aperture and a high-band warning skin aperture, the electronic countermeasure processing rack of the electronic countermeasure subsystem is connected with each MFA of the multifunctional antenna array by using a point-to-point optical fiber, the multifunctional antenna array receives an countermeasure radio frequency signal, transmits an electronic interference signal, and the electronic countermeasure and electronic interference functions are realized through the processing of the electronic countermeasure processing rack.
In some optional embodiments, the information output by the signal processing platform includes target location information, warning information and communication information, and referring to fig. 1, the present application implements data management on each subsystem through each processing module of the signal processing platform, and outputs the data to the onboard system, and further presents the data to the driver.
Although the present application has been described in detail with respect to the general description and specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications or improvements may be made based on the present application. Accordingly, such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention as claimed.
Claims (8)
1. An airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor architecture is characterized by comprising a terminal sensing subsystem, a radar subsystem and an electronic countermeasure subsystem, wherein the terminal sensing subsystem comprises a distributed aperture and a multifunctional antenna array, the distributed aperture carries out imaging processing on a target through a photoelectric alarm so as to obtain azimuth information of the target, the multifunctional antenna array positions the target according to the azimuth information of the target and obtains position information of the target after signal processing, the multifunctional antenna array is connected with a target detection processing module of a signal processing platform, and the distributed aperture is connected with an image processing module of the signal processing platform; the multifunctional antenna array is also connected with a communication identification subsystem, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the communication identification subsystem to carry out communication among aircraft in the formation of the aircraft; the electronic countermeasure subsystem comprises an antenna aperture and an electronic countermeasure processing frame, and the multifunctional antenna array is controlled by the electronic countermeasure processing frame to receive video signals or transmit electronic interference information; the radar subsystem comprises a radar antenna aperture and a radio frequency front end, and the radio frequency front end carries out long-distance detection on a forward target through the radar antenna aperture; the radio frequency front end, the communication identification subsystem and the electronic countermeasure processing rack are respectively connected with a general signal processing module of a signal processing platform, and the signal processing platform outputs data of the terminal sensing subsystem, the radar subsystem and the electronic countermeasure subsystem.
2. The on-board multifunction-integrated rf sensor architecture of claim 1, wherein the distributed aperture of the end sensing subsystem and the multifunction antenna array are interconnected by point-to-point optical fibers.
3. The on-board multifunction-integrated radio frequency sensor architecture of claim 1, wherein the multifunction antenna array comprises a plurality of MFAs, each MFA configured to detect in a different direction.
4. The on-board multifunction-integrated radio frequency sensor architecture of claim 3, wherein the plurality of MFAs of the multifunction antenna array are configured to:
performing active detection based on the whole antenna array surface;
carrying out electronic self-defense detection based on a front surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs at the middle part of the multifunctional antenna array;
conducting guidance chain communication based on an array surface formed by a plurality of MFAs in the upper half part of the multifunctional antenna array;
performing azimuth alarm and pitching alarm resolution based on an array surface formed by the uppermost MFA and an array surface formed by the rightmost MFA of the multifunctional antenna array;
and performing directional chain communication based on a front surface consisting of a plurality of MFAs in the right half part of the multifunctional antenna array.
5. The on-board multifunction-integrated radio frequency sensor architecture of claim 3, wherein each MFA of the multifunction antenna array is configured to cover all frequency bands for radar detection and inter-machine communication.
6. The on-board multifunction-integrated rf sensor architecture of claim 1, wherein the communication identification subsystem comprises a communication identification antenna and a communication identification processor rack, the communication identification antenna and the communication identification processor rack are connected by rf wires, and each MFA of the multifunction antenna array and the communication identification rack are connected by point-to-point optical fibers.
7. The on-board multifunction-integrated rf sensor architecture of claim 1, wherein the antenna apertures of the esds include a low band warning skin aperture, an esds aperture, and a high band warning skin aperture, and wherein the esds of the esds are connected to the MFAs of the multifunction antenna array using point-to-point optical fibers.
8. The on-board multi-function integrated rf sensor architecture of claim 1, wherein the information output by the signal processing platform includes target location information, alarm information, and communication information.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN202210491170.9A CN114978280B (en) | 2022-05-07 | 2022-05-07 | Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN202210491170.9A CN114978280B (en) | 2022-05-07 | 2022-05-07 | Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CN114978280A CN114978280A (en) | 2022-08-30 |
CN114978280B true CN114978280B (en) | 2023-03-14 |
Family
ID=82982231
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CN202210491170.9A Active CN114978280B (en) | 2022-05-07 | 2022-05-07 | Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CN (1) | CN114978280B (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5153594A (en) * | 1973-04-16 | 1992-10-06 | Moffat William V | Electronic counter-measure system for aircraft |
CN104808198A (en) * | 2015-05-25 | 2015-07-29 | 扬州宇安电子科技有限公司 | Active and passive integration system of radar |
CN111665492A (en) * | 2020-06-04 | 2020-09-15 | 北京通广龙电子科技有限公司 | Airborne distributed comprehensive radio frequency sensor system |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11092683B2 (en) * | 2019-03-18 | 2021-08-17 | Nxp Usa, Inc. | Distributed aperture automotive radar system with alternating master radar devices |
-
2022
- 2022-05-07 CN CN202210491170.9A patent/CN114978280B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5153594A (en) * | 1973-04-16 | 1992-10-06 | Moffat William V | Electronic counter-measure system for aircraft |
CN104808198A (en) * | 2015-05-25 | 2015-07-29 | 扬州宇安电子科技有限公司 | Active and passive integration system of radar |
CN111665492A (en) * | 2020-06-04 | 2020-09-15 | 北京通广龙电子科技有限公司 | Airborne distributed comprehensive radio frequency sensor system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN114978280A (en) | 2022-08-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
KR102202626B1 (en) | Super light and small synthetic aperture radar apparatus and system for unmanned mobile | |
CN107436426B (en) | Unmanned aerial vehicle and method for transmitting and receiving split radar target detection | |
KR101779900B1 (en) | Active electronically scanned array radar | |
EP2527865A1 (en) | System, device and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming missiles and threats | |
CN202141803U (en) | Multi-mode millimeter wave radar used for unmanned device for electric power line patrol | |
US9568602B1 (en) | Radar system and method of due regard/detect and avoid sensing and weather sensing | |
US11754657B2 (en) | Unmanned aerial vehicle as well as direction finding system | |
US9541364B2 (en) | Adaptive electronically steerable array (AESA) system for interceptor RF target engagement and communications | |
RU2723201C1 (en) | Aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicle for detection of missing person | |
CN114489148A (en) | Anti-unmanned aerial vehicle system based on intelligent detection and electronic countermeasure | |
US9116239B1 (en) | Low range altimeter antenna | |
US9595757B2 (en) | Integral RF-optical phased array module | |
CN112583517A (en) | Airborne unmanned aerial vehicle counter-braking system | |
US20200395969A1 (en) | Dynamically adaptable multipurpose data acquisition system | |
CN114978280B (en) | Airborne multifunctional integrated radio frequency sensor framework | |
EP2811315B1 (en) | System, device, and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming threats | |
CN110927720B (en) | SAR sidelobe countermeasure method | |
CN112946651B (en) | Air collaborative sensing system based on distributed SAR | |
CN110082728A (en) | A kind of radiator structure of UAV system synthetic aperture radar front system | |
KR20210147381A (en) | Radar Device | |
US20240097332A1 (en) | Antenna, Detection Apparatus, and Terminal | |
US11947000B2 (en) | Compact radar system | |
CN216900903U (en) | Radio monitoring direction-finding system | |
CN104090276A (en) | Radio frequency stealth onboard synthetic aperture radar | |
US20140362218A1 (en) | Electromagnetic radiation transmission location system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PB01 | Publication | ||
PB01 | Publication | ||
SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
GR01 | Patent grant | ||
GR01 | Patent grant |