DESC:Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic retrofit to Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV’s) or the like. More particularly, relates to the detection and determination of a friend or a foe.

Background of the Invention

The problem of locating and identifying friendly forces is complicated and well known for many years. There are many cases in which friendly forces were identified as foes (or vice versa), resulting in serious losses. On ground, terrains are generally not covered by radar systems, as the terrain conditions do not allow it. Identification mistakes or navigation errors frequently result in firing on friendly forces. The problem is particularly acute, as these forces frequently move through rough terrains, and/or under difficult visual conditions.

Drawbacks in the existing systems the inventor finds is that a large amount of communication between stations is needed until an interrogator can determine the location of the responders with respect to him. More particularly, not only the ranges from interrogator to the other stations are needed, but also the ranges between the other stations are required. All these ranges have to be transferred to the interrogator which is a vital limitation and is very significant.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention is based on the performance of the existing methods for identifying friendly forces for ground applications.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a retrofit to Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV’s) or the like, to capitalize with a friend or foe detection capability.

It is another object of the invention to provide location of all friends in a battle zone, with a very high degree of certainty and very low probability of false identification.

It is a further object of this invention, wherein the said friendly vehicle designed to use various mechanisms to identify its friendly forces by indicating a signal inside the vehicle.

It is a further object of the invention to use GPS technology to determine the exact location of armed forces on the earth.

It is a further object of the invention to use multi, ultrahigh and/or amateur Radio Frequency (RF) to communicate with other vehicles for avoiding the jammers from the Friend of Enemies (FOE).

It is a further object of the invention to use expert systems to advice troops when making combat decisions.

Further objects of the invention are apparent from reviewing the summary of the invention, detailed description, and claims set forth below.

The above objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by the present retrofit apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the retrofit apparatus includes a main control unit for communicating with a plurality of sub units and as well with a plurality of vehicles equipped with the said retrofit apparatus.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the main control unit comprises of a main Radio Frequency (RF) unit to communicate with other vehicles adapted with same retrofit apparatus. It also comprises a GPS for location awareness, a local RF to communicate with a Trigger unit and a Laser transmitter unit, a Bluetooth communication to communicate with an HMI display device; and an Infrared (IR) receiver module to receive a laser encrypted data from an observer AFV.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the trigger unit of the retrofit apparatus comprises a trigger button to trigger a laser pulse; an LCD display to display a own vehicle ID and a vehicle ID of an observer interrogating the vehicle; a keypad to enter a daily passkey for communication and to do other settings; a buzzer and/or an LED flasher to alert when someone interrogates the vehicle; and a local RF module to communicate with the main control unit;

The Laser transmitter unit comprising of an IR laser module to send an encrypted data to a targeting vehicle; a laser vertical scan module to scan a laser in vertical direction; and a local RF module to communicate with the main control unit; and the HMI display device to display a plurality of vehicles positions on a map and a Friend or a Foe status of the fellow vehicles for situational awareness.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus works at an Identification Range of 2 Kilo Meters (KM) in ideal conditions. It works at a RF Communication range of 2 KM.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus works in Laser and RF Modes adequate to enabling optimal capability of the apparatus and, not to interfere with voice and/or data transmissions of the vehicle.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus works with a response time of less than 1 Sec. It works with a Laser unit, not using the Thermal Imaging Fire Control System (TIFCS) laser.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus works with no electronics which can be tampered.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus uses a common password among all the vehicles in daily changeable basis to communicate with the fellow vehicles; this password is used in RF communication system to encrypt and/or decrypt the data while communicating.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus follows the principles of ‘cooperative’ Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF), where the observer AFV is active and sends laser pulses. If the target wishes to be identified, it sends back RF pulse signifying that it is a friend.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the location of the AFV installed with retrofit apparatus would be computed from the on-board GPS and broadcasts through RF in given time intervals.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus the location communication through RF is in small comes and specific to the composite system supplied, and not interfering with the main communication network of the AFV’s.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the HMI display device at the receiver end computes the locations of all the friendly AFV’s and displays their location on the Map.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is built with Self Destruction algorithm with single button operation.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus use data encryption algorithm to share information with neighboring nodes for shared situational awareness, hence direct information received by the AFV is shared with all neighboring friendly AFV’s available in battlefield scenario.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is modularly designed and has scope for up gradation of software or hardware.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the components of the apparatus and its sub systems and units shall be highly reliable, lighter, easy to install and replaceable.

The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in several ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

Fig. 1 is an illustrative block diagram of the retrofit apparatus according to present invention;

Fig. 2 is an illustrative diagram of the AFV with placement of the main and sub modules of the retrofit apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 3a - 3c illustrates the methodology of Identification of a friend or a foe (IFF)according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an illustrative block diagram of the retrofit apparatus for location awareness and communication between AFV’s according to present invention;

Detailed Description of the Invention

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a retrofit apparatus for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV’s) for Identification of a Friend or a Foe is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main control unit for communicating with a plurality of sub units of the apparatus itself and with a plurality of AFV’s equipped with the said retrofit apparatus.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the main control unit comprises of a main Radio Frequency (RF) unit to communicate with other AFV’s equipped with the said retrofit apparatus. It also comprises a GPS for location awareness, a local RF to communicate with a Trigger unit and a Laser transmitter unit, a Bluetooth communication to communicate with an HMI display device; and an Infrared (IR) receiver module to receive a laser encrypted data from an observer AFV.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the trigger unit of the retrofit apparatus comprises a trigger button to trigger a laser pulse; an LCD display to display a own vehicle ID and a vehicle ID of an observer interrogating the vehicle; a keypad to enter a daily passkey for communication and to do other settings; a buzzer and/or an LED flasher to alert when someone interrogates the vehicle; and a local RF module to communicate with the main control unit;

The Laser transmitter unit comprising of an IR laser module to send an encrypted data to a targeting vehicle; a laser vertical scan module to scan a laser in vertical direction; and a local RF module to communicate with the main control unit; and the HMI display device to display a plurality of vehicles positions on a map and a Friend or a Foe status of the fellow vehicles for situational awareness.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus works at an Identification Range of 2 Kilo Meters (KM) in ideal conditions. It works at a RF Communication range of 2 KM.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus works in Laser and RF Modes adequate to enabling optimal capability of the apparatus and, not to interfere with voice and/or data transmissions of the vehicle.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus works with a response time of less than 1 Sec. It works with a Laser unit, not using the Thermal Imaging Fire Control System (TIFCS) laser.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus works with no electronics which can be tampered.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus uses a common password among all the vehicles in daily changeable basis to communicate with the fellow vehicles; this password is used in RF communication system to encrypt and/or decrypt the data while communicating.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus follows the principles of ‘cooperative’ Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF), where the observer AFV is active and sends laser pulses. if the target wishes to be identified, it sends back RF pulse signifying that it is a friend.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the location of the AFV installed with retrofit apparatus would be computed from the on-board GPS and broadcasts through RF in given time intervals.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the apparatus the location communication through RF is in small comes and specific to the composite system supplied, and not interfering with the main communication network of the AFV’s.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the HMI display device at the receiver end computes the locations of all the friendly AFV’s and displays their location on the Map.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is built with Self Destruction algorithm with single button operation.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus use data encryption algorithm to share information with neighboring nodes for shared situational awareness, hence direct information received by the AFV is shared with all neighboring friendly AFV’s available in battlefield scenario.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is modularly designed and has scope for up gradation of software or hardware.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the components of the apparatus and its sub systems and units shall be highly reliable, lighter, easy to install and replaceable.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is an illustrative block diagram (100) of the retrofit apparatus according to present invention. The retrofit apparatus as shown in the block diagram is adapted for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV’s) for Identification of a Friend or a Foe. The apparatus includes a main control unit (102) for communicating with a plurality of sub units of the apparatus itself and with a plurality of AFV’s equipped with the said retrofit apparatus.

The main control unit comprises of a main Radio Frequency (RF) unit (104) to communicate with other AFV’s. It also comprises a GPS (106) sub unit for location awareness, a local RF (116) sub unit to communicate with a Trigger unit (118) and a Laser transmitter unit (134), a Bluetooth (110) communication sub unit to communicate with an HMI display device (146); and an Infrared (IR) receiver module (108) to receive a laser encrypted data from an observer AFV.

The trigger unit (118) of the retrofit apparatus comprises a trigger button to trigger a laser pulse; an LCD display (124) to display a own vehicle ID and a vehicle ID of an observer interrogating the vehicle; a keypad (122) to enter a daily passkey for communication and to do other settings; a buzzer and/or an LED flasher (120) to alert when someone interrogates the vehicle; and a local RF module (130) to communicate with the main control unit (102).

The Laser transmitter unit (134) comprising of an IR laser module (136) to send an encrypted data to a targeting vehicle; a laser vertical scan module (138) to scan a laser in vertical direction; and a local RF module (144) to communicate with the main control unit (102); and the HMI display device (146) to display a plurality of vehicles positions on a map and a Friend or a Foe status of the fellow vehicles for situational awareness.

Fig. 2 shows the AFV with placement of the main and sub modules of the retrofit apparatus according to the present invention. The retrofit apparatus includes a main control unit (202) for communicating with a plurality of sub units and as well with a plurality of AFV’s equipped with the said retrofit apparatus. The main control unit comprises of a main Radio Frequency (RF) unit to communicate with other AFV’s. It also comprises a GPS for location awareness, a local RF to communicate with a Trigger unit (218) and a Laser transmitter unit (234). The HMI display device (246) displays a plurality of vehicles positions on a map and a Friend or a Foe status of the fellow vehicles for situational awareness.

Figures 3a - 3c illustrates the methodology of Identification of a friend or a foe (IFF) according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows the retrofit apparatus for location awareness and communication between AFV’s according to present invention, wherein the apparatus follows the principles of ‘cooperative’ IFF, where the Observer AFV is active and sends LASER Pulses. If the target wishes to be identified, it sends back RF pulse signifying that it is a friend.

The location would be computed from the on-board GPS. The AFV’s would broadcast their locations through RF (small and specific to the composite system supplied and, not interfering with the main communication network of the AFV’s) with the given time interval. The HMI display device at the receiver end will compute the locations of all the friendly AFVs and displays their location on the map.

According to present invention, an observer AFV on visual detection of a target will have an option to interrogate by first raising a request for RF silent. It will proceed to fire a laser pulse on and wait for a response from the targeted AFV through Laser & RF. If it does not get any response it will try for three times, even through if it did not respond then the observer AFV intimates the commander to verify the location through RF/Voice after that only the visual detected AFV will be considered as a foe AFV. And an audio visual notification of foe is shown on the display

The response time for above defined request response mechanism will be less than 1 second.

On Receiving of encoded and encrypted signal with comprise of friend code from the observer AFV through the IR Receiver the targeted AFV will send response to the observer AFV, if the Response send successfully through RF with encrypted friendly code a positive ACK message will be displays otherwise a negative acknowledgement message will be displayed or a flasher or a long beep will be generated. Then the person in the AFV has to send the response manually or a voice communication has to be made if the target wishes to be identified as a friend AFV. ,CLAIMS:5. CLAIMS
I/We Claim
1. A retrofit apparatus for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV’s) or the like for Identification of a Friend or a Foe, wherein the apparatus includes:
i. a main control unit (102) for communicating with a plurality of sub units of the apparatus and a plurality of other vehicles equipped with the said retrofit apparatus, wherein the main control unit comprises of:
i. a main Radio Frequency (RF) unit (104) to communicate with other AFV’s;
ii. a GPS (106) sub unit for location awareness;
iii. a local RF (116) sub unit to communicate with a Trigger unit (118) and a Laser transmitter unit (134);
iv. a Bluetooth (110) communication sub unit to communicate with an HMI display device (146); and
v. an Infrared (IR) receiver module (108) to receive a laser encrypted data from an observer AFV;
ii. the trigger unit (118) comprises of:
i. a trigger button to trigger a laser pulses;
ii. an LCD display (124) to display a own vehicle ID and a vehicle ID of an observer interrogating the vehicle;
iii. a keypad (122) to enter a daily passkey for communication and to do other settings;
iv. a buzzer and/or an LED flasher (120) to alert when someone interrogates the vehicle; and
v. a local RF module (130) to communicate with the main control unit (102);
iii. the Laser transmitter unit (134) comprises of:
i. an IR laser module (136) to send an encrypted data to a targeting vehicle;
ii. a laser vertical scan module (138) to scan a laser in vertical direction; and
iii. a local RF module (144) to communicate with the main control unit (102);
and
iv. the HMI display device (146) displays a plurality of vehicles positions on a map and a Friend or a Foe status of the fellow vehicles for situational awareness.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus works:
i. at an Identification Range of 2 Kilo Meters (KM) in ideal conditions;
ii. at a RF Communication range of 2 KM;
iii. in Laser and RF Modes adequate to enabling optimal capability of the apparatus and, not to interfere with voice and/or data transmissions of the vehicle;
iv. with a response time of less than 1 Second;
v. with a Laser unit, not using the Thermal Imaging Fire Control System (TIFCS) laser as to optimize the operational aspect FCS;
vi. no electronics which can be tampered; and

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a common password is maintained among all the vehicles in daily changeable basis to communicate with the fellow vehicles; this password is used in RF communication system to encrypt and/or decrypt the data while communicating.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus follows the principles of ‘cooperative’ Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF), where the observer AFV is active and sends laser pulses. if the target wishes to be identified, it sends back RF pulse signifying that it is a friend.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location of the AFV installed with Retrofit apparatus would be computed from the on-board GPS and broadcasts through RF in given time intervals.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location communication through RF is in small comes and specific to the composite system supplied, and not interfering with the main communication network of the AFV’s.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the HMI display device at the receiver end computes the locations of all the friendly AFVs and displays their location on the Map.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is built with a self destruction algorithm with single button operation.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus use data encryption algorithm to share information with neighboring nodes for shared situational awareness, hence direct information received by the AFV is shared with all neighboring friendly AFVs available in battlefield scenario.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the components of the apparatus and its sub systems and units shall be highly reliable, lighter, easy to install and replaceable.