FR2612622A1 - DEVICE FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING THE FIREFIGHTING OF A PROJECTILE - Google Patents

Abstract

THE SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION IS A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR THE FIRE OF A PROJECTILE. IT INCLUDES A TRANSMITTER 3 SENDING A PROGRAMMING SIGNAL TOWARDS PROJECTILE 2 AND A RECEIVER 4 INTEGRATED IN THE PROJECTILE, THE PROGRAMMING SIGNAL CARRIES SEVERAL TIMING INFORMATION WITH DECREASING VALUES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DISTANCE TRAVELED BY THE PROJECTILE. APPLICATION TO BURST FIRE PROJECTILES FROM A WEAPON SYSTEM.

Description

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  The invention relates to a device for controlling the remote firing of a projectile fired by a weapon. This device comprises on the one hand a transmitter sending the programming signal to the projectile, and

  on the other hand a receiver built into it.

  The programming signal carries timing information which is exploited by the receiver to cause an explosive charge contained in the projectile to be fired,

  this after the desired delay.

  A traditional solution to this problem of timing firing is to use

  projectiles comprising a programmable rocket.

  Various modes of programming have been envisaged, ranging from manual programming on each projectile to automatic projectile programming methods in

supply corridors of the weapon.

  In particular, reference is made to French patent application No. 8517991 describing various modes of programming by contact, and French Patent No. 7421983 presenting a method of

inductive programming.

  These programming devices are advantageously associated with a firing line making it possible, based on information concerning the target (distance, speed) and information concerning the projectile itself (exit speed of the weapon), to carry out the necessary calculations. to the

  determination of the optimal time delay.

  The French patent application 8501340 shows such a device that also allows the speeds of the shots already fired to be taken into account to correct the delay of the projectile to be fired, in order to increase the efficiency.

  antipersonnel in the case of a tense shot.

  These programming devices have a number of disadvantages. They require on the one hand the use of a specific weapon, including the transfer element to the projectile of the programming defined by the

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  fire control (the latter may be distinct from the weapon), on the other hand they introduce a systematic error, impossible to correct later, which is related to the dispersion of the initial velocities of the projectiles. Indeed, to program a projectile before pulling it requires to make an approximation on the speed which will be that of this projectile to the

exit of the weapon.

  Now it is common to observe dispersions of the order of a few% on these speeds. The result is an imprecision of the shot which can not be fully compensated by the

performance of fire control.

  To solve these problems it was considered to replace the programming of the projectiles, by remote triggering of the firing. The French patents 7431172 and 7431173 describe the means for carrying out this firing by sending a light pulse (for example laser) on the projectile. This sending being caused by the fire control which could then integrate as parameter the real speed of the

projectile considered.

  Such an ideal device for projectile shooting, becomes difficult to implement in the case of firing a burst. All the projectiles of the burst risk

  then to receive at the same time the signal of firing.

  Another solution for integrating the value of the real speed of the projectile is described in European Patent No. 118122. This document shows a projectile whose programmable fuse comprises a counter, incremented by a clock. When the projectile leaves the weapon, it passes two furrows made on the barrel of the latter. The passage in front of each furrow causes a brutal change of frequency for a solidary oscillator of the rocket, these changes of frequency are converted into pulses sent to the counter. The first pulse starts the counter, the second stops it and causes it to be counted down at a frequency which is a sub-multiple of the counting frequency and which is provided by a programmable frequency divider. When the counter has returned to zero, the

  firing of the projectile is caused.

  The divider is programmed in the weapon before firing according to the chosen firing parameters, so it is possible to correct: the delay provided by the measurement of the speed

initial initial of the projectile.

  The main disadvantage of this device is to require a programming of each ammunition before shooting and therefore a specific weapon. It is mentioned however the possibility of transmitting the correction pulses as well as the programming data after the departure of the projectile, optically or by a radio wave. Such a variant also has defects, the radio waves can be interfered with and the light pulses are masked, at least in part, by the muzzle glow of the weapon or by the camouflage clouds, so it is no longer certain to have provided a correct time delay

to the projectile.

  The invention overcomes these defects by providing ulin remote control device which provides a good programming in flight of the timer, while

  allowing gunshots without firing.

  Thanks to the invention, each projectile receives its timing information after its exit from the weapon (information taking into account the measurement of its own speed), is able to control and validate this information, and is thus after insensitive validation to the other information sent by the shooting line and which will come, they,

  program the following projectiles.

  The device according to the invention makes it possible to control the firing at a distance from a projectile fired by a weapon and comprises, on the one hand, a transmitter, linked to a firing line, and sending a programming signal to the projectile, this signal bearing timing information, and secondly a receiver built into the projectile, for processing this information and cause firing; the receiver comprises a shaping element which transforms the programming signal into a control signal consisting of a series of pulses, and a counter, said counter-analyzer, for counting the oscillations provided by a clock; the number of oscillations counted between two consecutive pulses of the control signal constitutes an image of the delay which is used to cause the firing of the projectile, this device is characterized in that the programming signal carries a plurality of successive timing information having decreasing values taking into account the distance traveled by the projectile between the reception of each piece of information, and the receiver comprises a comparator, said comparator-validator, which can compare the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer between two consecutive pulses of the control signal with a reference value and which can reset the counter-analyzer if this reference value

  is less than that counted.

  The receiver comprises a counter, called counter-comparator, whose initialization and triggering are caused by the comparatorvalideur if the reference value is greater than that counted by the counter-analyzer, the firing of the projectile only being caused by when the counter-comparator has counted a number of clock oscillations which is a multiple of the number

  of oscillations counted by the meter-analyzer.

  According to the first embodiment, the programming signal will be such that the control signal is constituted by several pairs of pulses, the time interval separating two pulses of the same pair being characteristic of the delay intended for the projectile to one given instant, and the time interval separating two pairs of successive pulses said discriminator interval, being fixed and greater than the interval corresponding to the maximum possible timeout value for the projectile considered; the reference value will also be fixed and contained in a first non-volatile memory and it will be equal to at least the maximum number of clock oscillations contained in the discriminator interval; the comparator-validator will block the counter-analyzer and prohibit any consideration of new pulses by the latter when the number

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  of oscillations counted by the meter-analyzer will be

  less than the reference value.

  According to a second embodiment, the programming signal will be such that the time interval separating two consecutive pulses of the control signal is characteristic of the delay intended for the projectile at a given instant; the receiver will then comprise a reactivatable memory storing the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer between the first two pulses received by the latter, this stored value will constitute the reference value, and the storage will cause the counter-analyzer to be reset and the counter-comparator; the number of oscillations counted subsequently by the counter-analyzer between two other successive pulses will be compared to the reference value and will replace the latter in the memory

  reactivable if it is inferior to them.

  In the case of a burst of a projectile type, the firing of two projectiles being separated by a cycle time characteristic of this type of projectile, the receiver will include a backup counter which will count the pulses of the command signal. arriving at the analyzer and prohibit any consideration of new pulses by the latter if the number of pulses counted is equal to or greater than a limit value, contained in a second non-volatile memory, this limit value being equal to the minimum number of pulses can be contained in the command signal

  during the cycle time for this type of projectile.

  The programming signal may be constituted by a radio wave comprising a modulation conveying the timing information, the shaping element

  will then include an antenna and demodulation components.

  The programming signal may also be constituted by a succession of light pulses emitted by a laser integral with the transmitter, the shaping element will then comprise lin or more optoelectronic reception components.

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  It will be particularly interesting, to provide the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the receiver, to use at least one photovoltaic cell receiving the

  light of an illuminator secured to the transmitter or the weapon.

  Finally, a weapon system and projectiles incorporating the device according to the invention will be shaped in such a way that, for each type of projectile that can be fired, a maximum timeout value corresponding to the maximum range of this projectile will be associated, this value will define then the limit value, and possibly the discriminator interval for this type of projectile: the transmitter will then also include means for modifying the characteristics of the signal of

  programming to adapt to each type of projectile.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the

  description which follows, description made with reference to

  drawings in which: Figure 1 schematically depicts the organization

  a weapon system including the invention.

  Figure 2 is a block diagram of the receiver

integrated projectile.

  Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts describing the operation of the receiver for two possible embodiments. Figures 5 and 6 are corresponding diagrams

to the variants of Figures 3 and 4.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams representing both the distance of the projectile to the weapon as a function of time, and the corresponding command signal received by the projectile

  for both variants of Figures 3 and 4.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a projectile 2 is fired by a weapon 1, schematically represented: a firing line 6 is associated with the weapon 1, it receives by a number of connecting cables measuring 7, 8, 9 , the data coming from, on the one hand, a means of known type for measuring the exit velocity of the projectile from the weapon, for example inductive sensors located at the muzzle brake of the weapon, (d other sensors could be used, for example magnetic or capacitive sensors, optical or radar), and secondly, means for measuring the distance of the weapon to a target target, and possibly the relative speed weapon -target. These measuring means, of known types, can also be laser, optical, acoustic or infrared rangefinders. The firing line may also receive data concerning atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, wind), which may influence the

ballistic missiles.

  From all of these data, fire control 6 prepares timing information for

  projectile that has just been fired by the weapon.

  This timing information will be integrated into the programming signal 5 and sent by transmitter 3 to the transmitter.

projectile 2.

  The transmitter may be constituted by a laser sending a succession of light pulses towards the projectile, the arrangement of the laser being chosen so that the projectile receives the pulses between a distance of 10

and 500 meters.

  The projectile 2 comprises an explosive charge (not shown), an ignition device to the impact, delayed or not, of known type not shown, as well as an initiator

  electrical 15 for the explosive charge.

  The projectile also comprises a receiver 4, intended to process the timing information and to actuate the initiator 15, as well as a source of energy (not shown) that can be a bootable battery from the projectile, the electrolyte being released between the electrodes under the effect of the forces of inertia, or in piezoelectric generator of a known type or a capacitor bank loaded at the level of the weapon. It is also possible to provide on the projectile a certain number of photovoltaic cells receiving light from an illuminator integral with the transmitter and able to charge a capacitor; this illuminateulr can be a transmitter

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  laser which will then provide both the energy and the programming signal. Referring to Figure 2, the receiver is schematically constituted by a number of functional units. A shaping element 10 which receives the light pulses of the programming signal 5 and transforms them into a control signal constituted by a series

  electrical pulses in phase with the light pulses.

  An analyzer module 11, which is capable of counting the oscillations provided by a clock 14, between two successive pulses of the control signal, and which will therefore include in particular a counter, hereinafter referred to as an analyzer counter, and various logic elements enabling this counter operates between two successive pulses of the control signal. A trigger module 12 whose role is to send a firing pulse to an initiator 15 at the end of the time delay period and which, in the particular embodiments described below, comprises a counter, subsequently called a counter-comparator which counts the oscillations of the clock 14 and causes the projectile to be fired, via the initiator 15, when it has counted a number of oscillations which is a determined multiple

  the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer.

  A validation module 13 which receives the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer and compares it with a reference value, and which will therefore comprise in particular a comparator, hereinafter referred to as a comparator-validator, and a comparator

  memory storing the reference value.

  This validation module 13 authorizes the counting of clock oscillations by the comparator-counter only if the reference value is greater than that counted by the counter-analyzer, otherwise the validation module

  13 resets the meter-analyzer.

  The shaping element 10, will comprise one or more optoelectronic reception components, arranged to

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  the rear part of the projectile so as to receive the signal

bright programming 5.

  : These functional units are intended to facilitate

  understanding of the description, they are figured in lines

  interrupted on the synoptics of the two embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. These functional units can of course be physically grouped in the form

  a single hybrid or discrete or integrated circuit.

  The principle of counting the oscillations of a clock by the analyzer and by the comparator-meter and comparing the first count with the second for firing purposes is essentially described in European Patent No. 118122. is as follows: The laser transmitter sends to the projectile two light pulses separated by a time interval Td = Tp / K; Tp being the time that must elapse between the arrival of the second pulse and the firing of the projectile and thus constitutes timing information, K being a coefficient

given superior to uln.

  The counter-analyzer will count Ni clock oscillations in the time interval Td, if the counter-comparator starts counting at the end of the count of the counter-analyzer, then when it has counted N2 clock oscillations with N2. = K x Ni, it will have elapsed effectively a time Tp and the triggering module will cause the firing (it is possible to start the counting of the two counters at the same time so that the firing intervenes at the right moment is sufficient that the fire control considers that the timing information reaches the projectile with the

first impulse).

  We thus see the main advantage of this provision which is to allow the use of a clock

  embedded on the projectile imprecise.

  The only quality required of this clock is to remain stable during the few seconds corresponding to the trajectory of the projectile. Two successive projectiles may even have clocks delivering oscillations of different frequencies, without any influence on the value

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  transmitted Tp times. However the timing information will not be transmitted if the projectile sees only one pulse, the other being masked by the glow of mouth or the smoke generated by the shot. To ensure that the programming has taken place and that it is correct, the comparator-validator proposed by the invention controls the value counted by the counter-analyzer, resets the latter if the value is not correct and authorizes the counting clock oscillations by the counter-comparator only if the counted value is

correct.

  The resetting of the counter-analyzer results in a new countdown of the clock oscillations between two new pulses of the control signal; in order for the timing information to be taken into account to be correct, the programming signal must carry a plurality of delay information having decreasing values, taking into account the distance traveled by the projectile between the reception of each piece of information. This decrease will be reflected in the control signal by a succession of pulses separated by

  decreasing time intervals Td.

  The description of a first embodiment of

  the invention will be made with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7.

  FIG. 7 represents a diagram 62 giving the position as a function of time of a projectile intended to be put

fire at a distance X from the weapon.

  The programming signal sent by the transmitter gives, after formatting, a control signal 58. The latter is constituted by a number of pairs of pulses 59, 61 separated by a time interval T1 subsequently called the interval

discriminator.

  The time interval separating two pulses of the same pair is characteristic of the delay for the projectile at a given instant. Thus for the pair 59, the interval Td1 is such that TP1 = K × Td1, likewise TP2 = K × Td2 and TP3 = K × Td3. TP1, TP2, TP3 being in this case the time intervals separating the arrival of the second pulse of the pair considered in the counter-analyzer, and the time of firing of the projectile. The taking into account by the counter-analyzer of any of these pairs will ensure the firing when the projectile has traveled the distance X. The calculation of the values TP is carried out by the fire control which from the external data (speed initial, armecible distance, etc ...) can accurately determine the

  diagram 62 and therefore the values Td1, Td2, Td3, etc.

  the counter-analyzer at a given moment in order to ensure that it is taken into account by the latter

a good time of delay.

  The discriminator interval T1 will be chosen strictly greater than the interval corresponding to the maximum possible delay value for the given projectile. Thus, for a given projectile, we know the maximum range of this projectile, we also know the distance of the weapon from which the timing information will come from the projectile, so we know the maximum timing value TP max possible for this projectile as well as the maximum possible value for the interval between two pulses of the control signal Td max. The usefulness of this discriminator interval will be

specified below.

  As an example for a 30 mm projectile having an average speed of 1000 m / second, the maximum range

being 2000 meters.

  The intervals separating the laser pulses from the programming signal reaching the projectile only at a distance of at least 10 meters between the latter and the weapon, the value of the coefficient K, such that Td = TP / K, being chosen equal to, we have a value Td max. _ 20 ms and choose TL = 25 ms, which will send about 10 pairs of pulses to the projectile during its passage in the laser light field

  (between 10 and 500 meters from the weapon).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing the operation of the schematized receiver on the synoptic of the

figure 5.

  Each step or test of the organization chart is identified by

a letter.

  A is a pulse presence test of the control signal at the input of the counter-analyzer. The presence of a pulse causes step B which corresponds to the reset

  and triggering (reset) the counter-analyzer.

  The presence A of another pulse of the control signal, causes the test C which is the comparison between the number of clock oscillations N1 counted by the counter-analyzer and a reference value NR. The answer NO

  this test is performed for Ni> NR and the answer YES for N1 <NR.

  The NO answer causes a resumption of step B that is to say reset and triggering of the counter-analyzer. The answer YES leads to step D which corresponds to the counting by the triggering module of the value Ni enumerated; step M corresponds to the blocking of the counter-analyzer prohibiting any consideration of new pulses. Step E is the initialization and triggering of the comparator-counter

included in the trigger module.

  Steps D, M and E will be controlled simultaneously by the C test; the test F is the comparison between the number of oscillations N2 counted by the comparator-counter and the number N1 already taken into account; if N2 is proportional to N1 (in a given given ratio and dependent on both

  transmitter and receiver) firing occurs (step G).

  The reference value NR mentioned above is linked to the discriminator interval TL already defined: it is chosen greater than or equal to the maximum number of clock oscillations contained in the discriminator interval. For the previous numerical example and for a clock frequency = 20 KHZ + 10%

we will have NR) 550.

  It is thus seen that the presence of the discriminator interval between each pulse pair makes it possible to verify whether the pulses received by the counter-analyzer came from the same pair. Indeed, if a pulse is lost, the interval Td 'taken into account by the analyzer will be greater than TL which will cause a counting value N1 of this counter, greater than the reference value NR; The validizer will reset the counter-analyzer, the latter counting back from the last pulse received. FIG. 5 schematizes one embodiment of such a variant; the functional units are delimited by broken lines and the adopted presentation respects the relative arrangement of the modules of FIG. 2. Thus, the shaping element 10 comprises a sensor 16 constituted for example by one or more optoelectronic components, and a shaper 17 providing the control signal to the other modules, control signal having pulses whose amplitude is compatible with the correct operation of the logical elements of the device. The analyzer module receives the control signal via an AND gate 18 supplying a JK type flip-flop 21 by its clock input H and two other AND gates 19 and 20; the output of an OR gate 22 attacks the reset input (initialization and tripping) of a counter, said

meter-analyzer 23.

  The trigger module comprises a counter, said comparator-counter 24, a divider 26, a memory 25 receiving the output signal from the analyzer on its input 39, and a comparator said triggering comparator 27 receiving on its input 35 the number N2 of counted oscillations. by the counter 24 after division by the divider 26, and on its input 36 the number

  N1 counted by the counter-analyzer 23.

  The clock 14 supplies the clock inputs H of the

two counters 23, 24.

  The trigger comparator 27 is connected to

The initiator 15.

  The validation module comprises a first non-volatile memory 28 in which is stored the reference value NR determined as before, and a comparator, said comparator-validator 29, receiving on its input 33 the reference value NR, on its input 32 the number N1 of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer 23, and sending by its output 31 a reset signal to 1 input RAZ of the analyzer 23 (Via the OR gate 22), and by its output 30 of the initialization signals or validation to elements 24,

, 27 and 18.

  The operation of the device is as follows. The latch 21 receives on its input H the signal of

  command, its input E is permanently at logic level 1.

  This flip-flop only has a logic value 1 at its Q output for the falling edge of the control signal; thus the first pulse has the effect of initiating and triggering the analyzer counter 23 (triggered by the rising edge of the pulse) by being applied to the reset input of the latter, that is through the OR gate 22 and the AND gate 19 whose complemented input receives the output of the rocker. The falling edge of the first pulse causes the Q output of the flip-flop to logic 1; therefore the AND gate 19 is

blocked.

  The rising edge of the second pulse of the control signal will activate the comparator-validator 29, being applied to the validation input 34 of the latter through the AND gate 20 now unlocked. The counting result of the counter-analyzer is applied to the input 32 of the comparator-validator and to the input 39 of the memory 25. The reference value contained in the non-volatile memory 28 is compared with the result of the counting when the comparator -validor is activated, if the result of the count is less than the reference value (ie, as has already been specified, if the two pulses belong to the same pair), the output of the comparator-validator passes at logic level 1, the rising edge of this passage has the effect of storing in the memory 25 the result of this counting, of initiating and triggering the comparator-counter 24 and of activating the trigger comparator 27. This logic level 1 also allows to block the input of the analyzer module, being applied to the input complemented by

the AND gate 18.

  Thus, the counter-analyzer no longer sees other pulses, the value it has counted is stored in the memory, the comparator counter in turn counts the clock oscillations, its count is divided by the divider 26 whose characteristics were chosen in accordance with the

  K coefficient applied by the transmitter to the programming signal.

  The result of the count thus divided is constantly compared with the value stored in memory 25, by the trigger comparator 27, when there is equality, a pulse sent to

  initiator 15 causes firing.

  If the result of the counting performed by the counter-analyzer is greater than the reference value (the two pulses do not belong to the same pair), the output 31 of the comparator goes to logic level 1, the rising edge of this passage, applied through the OR gate 22, to the reset input of the counter-analyzer 23 causes the reset and the retriggering thereof: the comparator-validator performing its validity test from the rising edge of the second pulse, the counter-analyzer will count the clock oscillations between the 2 and 3 pulses of the control signal. The pulse 3 again activates the comparator-validator, the latch 21 remaining blocked with a logic 1 at its output Q, because its input E always sees status

logical 1.

  Such a device can be used in the case of a projectile burst; Referring to Fig. 7 diagrams 63 and 64 give the position as a function of time of two projectiles according to the projectile whose diagram is 62;

  the firing of each projectile is separated by a TC firing rate.

  As an example for caliber projectiles

  mm fired at a rate of 150 rounds / minute, TC = 0.4 s. -

  The laser pulses of the programming signal reaching a projectile only at a minimum distance of 10 meters between the latter and the weapon, it is possible to send about 8 pairs of pulses separated by the time TL = 25 ms to a projectile before the next projectile can receive the

programming signal.

  Figures 4, 6 and 8 refer to a second

  embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 8 shows the diagram 62 giving the position as a function of time of a projectile intended to be set

fire at a distance X from the weapon.

  The programming signal gives after formatting the control signal 58. The latter is constituted here by several pulses 65 to 70, the time interval separating two consecutive pulses is characteristic of the delay for the projectile at a given instant, and the interval Td1 separating the pulses 65 and 66 is such that TP1 = K x Td1, of

even Td2 = K x TP2 etc ...

  The values TP1, TP2, etc. being the time intervals separating the arrival of the second pulse from the interval Td considered from the control signal to the counter-analyzer, and the time of firing of the projectile. The difference between this second embodiment and the previous one is therefore, at the level

  of the control signal, the absence of a discriminator interval TL.

  Figure 4 is the flowchart describing the operation of the schematic receiver on the synoptic of the

figure 6.

  The steps or tests already encountered in the

  description of the first embodiment are designated by the

same letters.

  The pulse presence test A at the input of the counter-analyzer is followed by the reset and triggering of said counter (step B). The presence A of another pulse causes the simultaneous control of steps L, D, B, E. L is a storage of the number of oscillations N1 counted by the counter-analyzer, D is the consideration by the module trigger of this number Nl, B and E corresponding to the reset and the triggering of the analyzers and comparators counters. The test F always corresponds to the comparison between the number N2 of oscillations counted by the comparator-counter and the number N1 already taken into account. This test causes firing G under the same conditions as before. The detection of a new pulse of the control signal causes the test C which is the comparison between the new number of oscillations N'l counted by the analyzer module and the reference value, the reference value being here the

  value stored in step L (NR = N1).

  The NO answer to this test is for N'II> NR.

  The answer YES for N'1 <NR. The NO response causes, as previously, a resumption of step B, the counting performed by the countercomparator continuing, as well as the test F

with the value taken into account NI.

  The answer YES causes a resumption of the steps L, D, B, E, that is to say a replacement of the reference value N1 by the new value N'l, the taking into account of N'l by the

  trigger module and reset counters.

  Such an arrangement still makes it possible to check the validity of timing information. Indeed, since the intervals between the pulses (FIG. 8) are decreasing, any count value of the counter-comparator greater than the previous one carries a wrong timing value, and conversely if the first count value corresponds to a bad programming, following the occultation of a light pulse for example, the subsequent count values

can replace it.

  Refreshing the timer allows

  in addition to compensating for any drifts of the clock 14.

  For projectile characteristics similar to those already given by way of example, it is possible to send to a projectile 20 timing information, with a cycle time Tc = 0.4 s, before the next projectile can receive the programming signal. Burst firing is thus possible, and the amount of information transmitted to each

  projectile statistically ensures correct programming.

  In the particular case of use with firing burst will be added a device preventing any consideration by a projectile information for the next projectile. This

device will be described later.

  FIG. 6 schematizes an embodiment of this second variant, as previously the functional units are delimited by broken lines and the elements common with the first variant are assigned the same numbers. The control signal provided by the shaping element 10 is applied to an AND gate 40, the output of the latter feeds two other AND gates 41 and 42, the output of the gate 42 drives the input 45 of a shift register 44. The analyzer module also comprises the analyzer counter 23, whose RAZ input is fed by an OR gate 51, which itself is fed by two other OR gates 49 and 50, and a latch of FIG.

type D 43.

  The triggering module 12 comprises as previously the countercomparateur 24, the divider 26 and the trigger comparator 27 whose output goes to the initiator 15. The validation module comprises the

  comparator-validator 29 and a reactivatable memory 52.

  The validation module also integrates a backup counter 55, a non-volatile memory 56 and a comparator, said

backup comparator 57.

  The operation of the device is as follows. The D-type flip-flop 43 has its input E permanently at logic level 1, at the start of the projectile the Q output of this flip-flop is at logical level O and the gate 42 thus passes the first pulse of the control signal the rising edge of the latter drives the shift register 44 by its input 45 and causes the appearance of a pulse at the output 46, the rising edge of this pulse will reset and trigger the counter-analyzer through the OR gates 49 and 51.

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  The latter counts the oscillations of the clock 14 and applies the value of its count to the input 32 of the comparator-validator 29 and to the input 53 of the memory

reactivable 52.

  The second pulse of the control signal will further attack the shift register 44 and it will cause the appearance of a pulse at the output 47 of the latter. This pulse is simultaneously applied via the OR gate 50 to the reset inputs of the counter-analyzers and counter-comparators, as well as to the input 37 of the trigger comparator and to the input 54 of the reactivatable memory 52, and the rising edge of this pulse thus simultaneously causes the reactive memory 52 to store the number of oscillations N1 counted by the analyzer counter 23, the initialization and the triggering of the comparator-counter 24 as well as the counter-analyzer 23, and

  activation of the trigger comparator 27.

  The output of the reactivatable memory 52 is connected to the input 33 of the comparator-validator 29, as well as to the input 36 of the trigger comparator 27. Thus, at the triggering module 12, the trigger comparator 27 will compare this number Nl set in memory with the result of the counting performed by the comparator 24 divided by the divider 26; the reactive memory 52 plays in the role of the memory 25 described in FIG.

first version of the device.

  The third pulse of the control signal will cause the appearance of a pulse at the output 48 of the shift register 44; this pulse will attack the flip-flop 43 by its input H, and the rising edge of this pulse will cause the Q output of the flip-flop to go to logic 1 (input E to logic 1); this has the effect, on the one hand, of blocking the AND gate 42, whose complemented input is connected to the Q output of the flip-flop, and on the other hand of applying a pulse to the input 34

the comparator-validator.

  The latter thus compares the number of clock oscillations N'l, counted by the counter-analyzer 23 between the second and the third pulse of the control signal, with the number Ni stored in the reactive memory 52, and which constitutes

thus the reference value NR.

  If N'i> / NR (the two pulses considered were not successive) at the output 31 of the comparator-validator appears a pulse, the rising edge thereof, applied through the OR gates 49 and 51, to the The reset input of the counter-analyzer 23 causes the resetting and retriggering thereof; this counter will count the clock oscillations between the 3 and 4 pulses of the control signal, and the trigger module continues to operate. If N'l <NR (the two pulses considered were probably successive), at the output 30 of the comparator appears a pulse whose rising edge is applied (by means of the OR gate 50) to the two counters 23 and 24 as well as at the enable input 37 of the trigger comparator 27, and at the input 54 of the reactivatable memory 52. Thus, the new number of oscillations N'I is stored in the place instead

  of N1 and constitutes the new reference value.

  In the case of a burst fire it is necessary to

  limit the number of possible reactivations of the memory 52.

  For this purpose, a limit value is defined which will be at most equal to the minimum number of pulses that can be contained in the control signal during the cycle time for the type of projectiles considered. For a projectile and a given firing rate, this minimum number corresponds to the largest delay information and therefore to that given for the maximum range. For example, for 30 mm projectiles fired at a rate of 120 rounds per minute, with a maximum range of 2000 meters, and an average speed of 1000 m / s, the K coefficient (such as the T1 interval separating two successive pulses equal to TP / K, TP being the timing value) being chosen equal to 100 one will have a limit value

from 15.

  Referring to Figure 6; the pulses of the control signal are applied to the input H of the backup counter, the nonvolatile memory 56 contains the limit value, the backup comparator 57 has a logic output equal to 1 when the number of pulses sent to the module-analyzer reaches the limit value. The taking into account of any new pulse is then prohibited by the AND gate 40, a complemented input is connected to the backup comparator. Other variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it is possible to have the triggering role fulfilled by the parser module for the first variant described; for this purpose the counter-comparator will be replaced by a frequency divider fed by the clock, and the counter-analyzer by a down-counter; the counting only occurs after validation of the count by the comparator-validator. It is also possible to introduce into the receiver a self-destruction comparator and a self-destruction memory, this comparator being powered by the aforementioned memory and by the backup counter, thus it is possible by connecting the self-destruction comparator to the initiator to cause the projectile to be fired upon receipt of a number

  determined light pulses.

  It is also possible to replace the laser light pulse transmitter by a radio transmitter, the programming signal 5 will then be a radio wave having a modulation (amplitude, phase or frequency) carrying the timing information, shaping element will then include an antenna and demodulation components thereof to transform the radio signal into a control signal

of the type already described.

  Finally, to a given weapon system comprising the transmitter sending a programming signal according to the invention, it is possible to associate several types of projectiles with different ranges and delay characteristics.

26 1 2622

  different. It suffices to note that for each type of projectile to be fired and integrating a receiver according to the invention, the maximum delay value which corresponds to the maximum range of the projectile, defines the limit value (and possibly the discriminator interval for the first variant described). These values as well as the characteristics of the divider 26, are stored in the projectile and are data that can be introduced into the firing line 6, manually or automatically, at each change of projectile type, so that the programming signal is adapted to the fired shot. It is thus possible to have a driving behavior

  shot adaptable to different types of projectile.

Claims (9)

REVENDI CATIONS   1. Device for controlling the remote firing of a projectile (2), fired by a weapon (1) and comprising, on the one hand, a transmitter (3) linked to a firing line (6), and sending a programming signal (5) to the projectile (2), this signal carrying timing information, and secondly a receiver (4) integrated in the projectile, for processing this information and to cause firing, receiver comprising a shaping element (10) transforming the programming signal into a control signal consisting of a series of pulses, and a counter, said counter-analyzer (23), for counting oscillations provided by a clock (14), the number of oscillations counted between two consecutive pulses of the control signal constituting an image of the delay which is used to cause the firing of the projectile, characterized in that the programming signal (5) carries several info successive delaying rmations having decreasing values taking into account the distance traveled by the projectile (2) between the reception of each information, and the receiver (4) comprises a comparator, said comparator-validator (29), which can compare the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer (23) between two consecutive pulses of the control signal with a reference value and able to reset the counter-analyzer (23) if this value of   reference is less than that enumerated.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiver (4) comprises a counter, said counter-comparator (24), the initialization and triggering are caused by thevalid comparator (29) if the reference value is greater than that counted by the counter-analyzer (23), the firing of the projectile (2) being caused only when the count-comparator has counted a number of clock oscillations which is a multiple of the number   of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer (23).   Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the programming signal (5) is such that the control signal (58) consists of several pairs of pulses (59, 60), the time interval separating two pulses of the same pair being characteristic of the delay for the projectile at a given instant, and the time interval separating two pairs of successive pulses, said discriminator interval, being fixed and greater than the interval corresponding to the value of maximum possible delay for the projectile considered, and in that the reference value is also fixed and contained in a first non-volatile memory (28) and is at least equal to the maximum number of clock oscillations (14) contained in the discriminator interval, and in that the comparator-validator (29) blocks the counter-analyzer (23) and prohibits any consideration of new pulses by the latter when the number of oscillations d nombrées by   counter-analyzer (23) is less than the reference value.   4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the programming signal (5) is such that the time interval separating two consecutive pulses of the control signal (58) is characteristic of the delay for the projectile at a given moment. given, in that the receiver (4) comprises a reactivatable memory (52) storing the number of oscillations counted by the counter-analyzer (23) between the first two pulses received by the latter, this stored value constituting the reference value , and this setting causing the counter-analyzer (23) and the comparator-counter (24) to reset, the number of oscillations subsequently counted by the counter-analyzer (23) between two successive ones is compared to the reference value and replacing the latter in the memory   reactivable (52) if it is lower.   5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4   adapted to the firing of a projectile type, the firing of two projectiles being separated by a cycle time (TC) characteristic of this type of projectile, characterized in that the receiver (4) comprises a backup counter (55). ) counting the pulses of the control signal arriving at the counter-analyzer (23) and preventing any new pulse from being taken into account by the latter if the number of pulses counted is equal to or greater than a limit value, contained in a second non-memory volatile (56), and in that the limit value is at most equal to the minimum number of pulses that can be contained in the control signal during the cycle time for this type of projectile.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the programming signal (5) is constituted by a radio wave comprising a modulation conveying the timing information, the formatting element   (10) comprising an antenna and demodulation components.   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the programming signal (5) is constituted by a succession of light pulses emitted by a laser integral with the emitter (3), the shaping element (10) comprising one or more optoelectronic components of reception.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the receiver (4) comes from at least one photovoltaic cell receiving light from a solidary illuminator   transmitter (3) or weapon (1).   9. weapon system incorporating the device according to claim 5, characterized in that each type of projectile that can be fired is associated with a maximum timeout value corresponding to the maximum range of this projectile, this value defining the limit value, and possibly the discriminator interval for this type of projectile, and in that it comprises means integral with the transmitter (3) for modifying the characteristics of the programming signal (5) to adapt it to each type of projectile projectile.