EP0965815A2 - Weapon system - Google Patents

Abstract

The weapon system has a fire control system (1) and a munitions unit (3) that can be fired from a weapon. The munitions unit contains at least one electronic circuit (8) controlled by the fire control system, containing a microcontroller and connected to an external current/voltage supply unit. The supply voltage is modulated in a converter (2) with control signals from the fire control system that can be demodulated by the electronic circuit. Signals to be transmitted from the circuit to the fire control system are modulated onto the supply voltage by the circuit and demodulated by the converter.

Description

The invention relates to a weapon system with a fire control system and an ammunition unit that can be fired from a weapon.

With such weapon systems it is known for ammunition identification the ammunition-specific data, such as ammunition type, Lot number, production date etc., directly on one to store data storage arranged in the ammunition (cf. e.g. DE 41 37 819 A1). This data will be introduced after the respective cartridge into the loading space of the weapon a reader automatically reads and into the Transfer fire control system. The fire control system then generates considering this as well as target specific Data directional signals for the aiming system of the weapon as well if necessary, control signals for activating one in the respective Cartridge arranged electronically programmable Detonator. For this purpose, this is arranged in the cartridge and an electronic microcontroller Circuit device connected.

In the known weapon systems, the transfer of the Control signals from the fire control computer to those assigned to the detonator electronic circuit device through either inductive feed or by voltage modulation of the supply voltage the assembly. In both cases, one Feedback to the fire control computer whether the data is actually (correctly) transferred, not instead.

The present invention is based on the object Weapon system to reveal a permanent safe Check the connection of the fire control computer to the controllable ones Assemblies of the respective ammunition unit simple way is possible.

This task is characterized by the characteristics of the Part of claim 1 solved. Further advantageous configurations the invention disclose the subclaims.

Essentially, the invention is based on the idea a bidirectional data transmission via the two to Voltage or power supply of the electronic circuit device the respective ammunition unit Lines. For this, the data transmission takes place from the fire control system to the electronic circuit device by means of a voltage modulation of the supply voltage and the data transfer from the circuit device to the fire control computer by means of a current modulation of the operating current.

Such bidirectional data transmission also allows the continuous monitoring of the operating current and the transmission voltage for the safe detection of interruptions or short circuits in the connecting lines. This is particularly advantageous because the contact to the ammunition via a mechanical contact and thus affected by vibration and other influences can be.

For modulating the supply voltage and for demodulation of the operating current is between the fire control system and the ammunition unit switched converter provided. In the ammunition unit the modulated supply voltage is demodulated as well as the modulation of the operating current through interface modules and the microcontroller of the electronic Circuit device.

The converter and the electronic circuit device of the respective ammunition unit work in the master-slave Operation together, with the converter performing the master function takes over.

Fig.1

die schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Waffensystems mit einem Feuerleitrechner, einem Umsetzer und einer Munitionseinheit mit einer elektronischen Schaltungsvorrichtung und

Fig.2

das Blockschaltbild der in Fig.1 mit 8 bezeichneten elektronischen Schaltungsvorrichtung.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following exemplary embodiments explained with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

the schematic representation of a weapon system according to the invention with a fire control computer, a converter and an ammunition unit with an electronic circuit device and

Fig. 2

the block diagram of the designated in Fig.1 with 8 electronic circuit device.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a fire control system, e.g. a battle tank, with 2 a converter and with 3 one in the, not shown Gun barrel of the tank located cartridge. The fire control system 1 is both via a bidirectional CAN data bus (ISO-IS 11898) 4 as well as via a e.g. two-wire, cable 5 for power and voltage supply connected to the converter 2. This is in the fire control system 1 integrated current / voltage supply unit with the reference numeral 6 and the CAN bus interface with the Reference numeral 7 marked.

In the cartridge 3 can be controlled by the fire control system 1 electronic circuit device 8 arranged, which includes two assemblies 80 and 81 (Fig.2). The first assembly 80 contains a microcontroller 9 with data storage for storing ammunition-specific data (firing table parameters). The second electronic assembly 81 is used for activation the not shown for reasons of clarity Missile detonator.

The one arranged between the cartridge 3 and the fire control system 1 Converter 2 serves both the voltage supply of the Circuit device 8 and for modulating the supply voltage with those coming from the fire control system 1 Control signals. The control signals include e.g. also the request for the firing board parameters from assembly 80 and the input of the temperature data for the assembly 81 in the Cartridge 3.

For the voltage supply of the circuit device 8 is in the converter 2 with the help of a voltage converter 11 and one this downstream power amplifier 12 has an output voltage from e.g. 30V generated. Unless there is a data transfer takes place in the ammunition, the output voltage is constant and regardless of the power consumption of the circuit device 8th.

Converts to voltage modulation in converter 2 arranged microcontroller 10 the signal level and the protocol the CAN bus interface 7 in signal level and protocols an RS232 interface. The high and low levels the RS232 interface are converted into a ± ÿ5V voltage and become the supply voltage in the power amplifier 12 modulated.

For the transfer of temperature data to module 81 the implementation of the CAN bus data in the microcontroller 10 in time-dependent voltage pulses with negative voltage (e.g. -10V). To do this, use the power amplifier 12 the supply voltage from approx. + 30V briefly to -10V switched. The time measure between the start-stop pulse proportional to the igniter time to be transmitted.

During the entire transmission time, the current flow continuously via a measuring resistor 13 with a downstream Current amplifier 14 monitors for line breaks, e.g. due to the galvanic contact Ammunition or line shorts are caused too detect.

The modulated supply voltage is then via the Supply lines 15 and 16 the modules 80, 81 of supplied electronic circuit device 8 and from demodulates this. The module 80 is the modulated Supply voltage (e.g. 30V ± 5V) via a voltage divider 17 compared with a reference voltage and back in a high / low level for feeding into the RS232 signal Microcontroller changed.

Module 81 only reacts to timed negatives Voltage pulses (-10V) via signal input 21 and by transferring data to assembly 80 influenced. Indeed module 80 recognizes by a voltage window comparator, that the voltage modulation in the minus range only Contains data for assembly 81.

With the help of diodes 18 and 19 and additional components is achieved that a modulation of the supply voltage no effects on the functionality of the modules Has 80 and 81.

The demodulated signal values are used to control the modules 80 and 81 used. For example, the microcontroller 9 assembly 80 prompted for the saved firing board parameters to be transferred to the converter 2. The called signal values of the microcontroller 9 with the help transmit a current modulation to the converter 2. For this control the (TTL) signals of the microcontroller 9 a changeable Load resistor 20 on so that e.g. a high signal an increase in the operating current and a low signal Reduction of the operating current of the assembly 80 causes.

The operating current modulated in this way is then in the Converter 2 demodulated. The demodulation of the Operating current of module 80 - regardless of the size the supply voltage through the measuring resistor 13 and the Current amplifier 14. The data modulation in the Unit 80 induced plus-minus operating current change gives a at the measuring resistor 13 of the converter 2 proportional voltage with one in the microcontroller 10 included voltage comparator in corresponding (TTL) Signals are converted. These signals are due to the used RS232 data protocols recognized and in the controller 10 converted into the CAN bus data protocol for faster data transfer via line 4 to Transfer CAN bus interface 7 in the fire control computer 1.

In contrast to assembly 80, assembly 81 contains (Fig.2) no microcontroller. The transfer of the temp occurs through a negative start-stop voltage pulse. The time between start and stop pulse is an analog one Measure and proportional to the temp time to be set. A bidirectional data traffic takes place with the module 81 only held to a limited extent. The correct temp acknowledged by a brief increase in the operating current. The decoding is also done here by the current detection with the help of the measuring resistor 13 in the converter 2.

Reference list

1

Fire control system

2nd

Converter

3rd

Cartridge, ammunition unit

4th

Data bus, line

5

electric wire

6

Current / voltage supply unit

7

CAN bus interface

8th

Circuit device

80

first assembly

81

second assembly

9.10

Microcontroller

11

Voltage converter

12th

Power amplifier

13

Measuring resistor

14

Current amplifier

15.16

Supply lines

17th

Voltage divider

18.19

Diodes

20th

Load resistance

21

Signal input

Claims (4)

Weapon system with a fire control system (1) and an ammunition unit (3) that can be fired from a weapon with the features: a) the ammunition unit (3) comprises at least one electronic circuit device (8) which can be controlled by the fire control system (1) and contains a microcontroller (9) and which is connected to an external current / voltage supply unit (6); b) a converter (2) for modulating the supply voltage of the electronic circuit device (8) with the control signals coming from the fire control system (1) and demodulatable by the electronic circuit device (8) is arranged between the ammunition unit (3) and the fire control system (1) ; c) the electronic circuit device (8) and the converter (2) are constructed such that the signals to be transmitted to the fire control system (1) by the electronic circuit device (8) are modulated by the circuit device on the supply current and are demodulated by the converter (2) . Weapon system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit device (8) comprises a data memory for storing ammunition-specific data which are subjected to data preprocessing by the microcontroller (9) before being transferred to the fire control system (1). Weapon system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit device (8) comprises an electronic assembly (81) for activating the projectile detonator of the ammunition unit (3). Weapon system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ammunition unit (3) comprises two electronic assemblies (80, 81) which can be controlled by the fire control system (1), the first assembly (80) comprising a microcontroller (9) with a bidirectional interface and a data memory for Storage of ammunition-specific data and the second assembly (81) contains electronics for activating the projectile detonator.

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