Sensor module for detecting hits for battle field simulations

The invention relates to a sensor module (1) for detecting hits for battle field simulations, containing a housing (2) which comprises an infrared sensor (3), a short-range radio transmitter, an electric voltage source and means for fixing the sensor module (1) to a subscriber (6) of battle field simulations.

(57) Zusammenfassung: Ein Sensormodul (1) zur Treffererfassung fiir Gefechtsfeldsimulationen enthalt ein Gehause (2), das einen Infrarotsensor (3), einen Kurzstreckenfunksender, eine elektrische Spannungsquelle und Mittel zum Befestigen des Sensormoduls (1) an einem Teilnehmer (6) der Gefechtsfeldsimulation aufweist

Sensor module for detecting hits for battlefield simulations

Technical field

The invention concerns a sensor module for detecting hits for battlefield simulations and its application for a battlefield simulation.

State-of-the-art

It is known that in battle manoeuvre control centres and shooting training with directly pointing weapons duel simulators are used. In doing so, the information about the shooter, the shot, the type of weapon and the ammunition used is transferred to the target by means of a directed and coded infrared laser beam. On the participant, who represents a potential target, a plurality of detectors are placed, which detect the impacting laser beam and are connected by cable with an evaluating electronics, the so called participating unit, that is carried by the participant. The distance and the position of the sensor are chosen depending on the diameter of the impacting laser beam in such a manner, that a meaningful statement regarding the point of impact of the beam on the target and consequently about the real effect of the weapon can be made. For this purpose an evaluating system is provided in the participating unit, said unit evaluates the hit in accordance with a stored vulnerability model. In addition, the participating unit comprises a radio system, that can enter into radio contact with the manoeuvre control centre to report a hit.

During the operation of the known sensor equipment in military environment the sensors or the cable joints on the sensors often become damaged and consequently lead to curtailing of the function or breakdown of the entire sensor system and thus of the participants of the manoeuvre. The identification of a defective sensor or of a defective cable joint is difficult and elaborate due to the type of a parallel-series wiring. The repair costs are very high when compared with the value of the equipment.

2005293777 09 Oct 2009

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word comprise, or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a sensor module for detecting hits for battlefield simulations with a housing, having • an infrared sensor, • a short-range radio transmitter, • an electric power source in the form of a battery, • means to fasten the sensor module on a participant of the battlefield simulation, • a solar cell arrange to charge the battery, characterised in that it further comprises a signal amplifier to amplify the signals of the infrared sensor.

In this conjunction as participant quite generally a potential target of a battlefield simulation is described. Consequently, a participant may be a person, a vehicle or also a building.

Thus the individual sensor modules of a participant can be in contact with each other and with the participating unit by means of short-range radio in a

2A

2005293777 26 Mar 2009 radio network. For example, a radio network, based on the blue tooth technology, with a range of up to 5 m may be used.

Thus each infrared sensor of a participant is connected cable-free via radio 5 with the participating unit. This reduces the frequency of damages, since no cables which can brake, are present. The fitting with sensor modules does not have to be adapted to suit the particular participant. Because only one type of sensor is used for a plurality of applications, a standardised manufacture is possible and storage is simplified. During the manufacture, as well as during maintenance, this leads to considerable cost reductions. The search and recognition of errors is also simplified.

The fact, that the sensor modules can be attached to and removed from the participant in a simple manner, is a further advantage. The fitting of new or new type of targets is simplified, and a flexible attachment of the sensor modules with variable vulnerability modules having different resolutions is possible.

2005293777 26 Mar 2009

In an advantageous configuration the short-range transmitter is a part of a radio module, that serves for the communication with a participating unit.

For the purpose of extending its operating time, the sensor module has an £> additional solar cell and a battery that can be charged by the solar cell. The battery will be charged or its charge will be markedly cushioned depending on the light conditions.

The improved energy supply or the advantageous energy-saving system

IO make the integration of a signal amplifier in the sensor module possible, without reducing the operational period due to the increased energy consumption. The sensitivity of the sensor module is increased by virtue of the signal amplifier, so that the laser energy, triggering a signal, can be reduced. Thus the laser transmission powers can be lowered to a value at which any damage to the eyes of the participants is precluded. A further advantage of the signal amplifier is that filters can be applied to filter out the disturbing external light, e.g. sunlight (patent claim 8).

In particularly advantageous configurations the short-range radio transmitter 5-0 and the signal processor are activated from the sleep mode by an incoming IR pulse and after processing and transmitting the IR signal they automatically return to the sleep mode. Advantageously the sensor module comprises filters to filter out disturbing external lights. These embodiments have a reduced energy requirement, so that the operating time of the sensor module is considerably prolonged. For this purpose the sensor module can be switched over to a sleep mode, wherein the infrared sensor and the signal amplifier are activated, the short-range radio transmitter and the signal processor are deactivated.

The short-range radio transmitter and the signal processor are activated from the sleep mode by an incoming IR pulse and after processing and transmitting the IR signal they automatically return to the sleep mode.

In an advantageous manner the sensor of the sensor module has an effective aperture angle of more than 90°, preferably approx. 120° (patent claim 9).

Due to the large aperture angle and the greater sensitivity of the sensor it will be achieved, that even stray light from unevennesses are received and evaluated by the target. Since in the near field (distance less than 5-10 metres) the laser beam bundle has a small diameter with a higher density of energy, it may happen, that the sensors are not directly illuminated even when the body is hit. In the case of known sensors this results in an unrealistic training, whereas the sensor according to the invention receives and evaluates even stray light. In the case of a distant field the target can be hit from any direction.

Short description of the drawing

In the following the invention is explained in detail based on a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a top view on a sensor module according to the invention,

Fig.2 shows a side view of the sensor module, and

Fig.3 shows a top view on a second execution,

Fig.4 shows the application of the sensor module in the form of a block diagram when used in a battlefield simulation.

Methods of carrying out the invention

The sensor module 1 comprises a housing 2 in the form of a flat cylinder, that is enclosed on its rear. On the front side an infrared sensor 3 is fastened in a circular recess of the housing 2, the receiving surface of said infrared sensor covering a spatial angle greater than 90°, preferably approx. 120°. At least one solar cell 4 is provided on the outside around the sensor 3, said solar cell charging a battery provided inside the housing 2. As an electrical power source, the battery supplies the sensor module 1 with the electric output required.

In the embodiments according to Figs.1 and 2 the receiving surface of the approximately semi-spherical sensor 3 has a spherical top and protrudes from the housing 2. An annular solar cell 4 is provided outside of and around the sensor 3.

In the embodiment according to Fig.3 a flat sensor 3 is fastened behind a disc in the circular recess of the housing 2. Behind this disc a solar cell 4 is provided on each side adjacent to the sensor 3. Consequently, there are four solar cells 4.

In all embodiments a radio module, that serves for the communication with a participating unit 7, is provided inside the housing 2. The radio module has a short-range radio transmitter, that transmits with low transmission power at high frequencies, preferably on an ISM band, and has a maximum range of 5 m. The short range radio transmitter may be constructed as a transmitter based on the blue-tooth technology. Furthermore, there is an analogue pre-amplifier inside the housing 2, said pre-amplifier amplifying the pulsed signals produced by the infrared sensor 3. A digital signal processor, also provided in the housing 2, identifies and analyses the signals before they are transmitted from the short range radio transmitter to the participating unit 7.

The sensor module 1 preferably comprises additional optical filters, which are used to filter out the disturbing external light, e.g. sunlight, and thus improve the quality of the signal. On the rear of the housing means are provided to fasten the sensor module 1 on the participant. In the example the fastening means comprise a clip 5, fastened on the rear, with which the sensor module 1 can be simply camped on the participant 6 of the battlefield simulation.

As it is schematically illustrated in Fig.3, in the case of a battlefield simulation the individual sensor modules 1 are placed precisely on the sensitive positions on the participant 6, i.e. a person, a vehicle or also a building, corresponding to the vulnerability model of the potential target. In addition, each participant 6 carries the participating unit 7, that as basic components contains an evaluating system and a radio system, that on the one hand receives the signals of the sensor module 1 of the participant 6, and on the other can enter into radio contact with the manoeuvre control centre 8 for the purpose of transmission and reception of data. The individual sensor modules 1 and the participating unit 7 form on the individual participant 6 a radio network, that may be constructed as a WLAN network. If the simulation participant is a soldier, usefully his simulation weapon will be also integrated into the radio network.

So that to reduce the energy consumption and thus prolong the possible operating time without charging the battery, each sensor module 1 contains an energy saving system, by which the sensor module 1 is basically held in a sleep mode with minimal energy consumption. Only when the sensor 3 detects a hit, will the module 1 automatically fully activated and enters into radio contact with its participating unit 7. After exchange of data it will return to the sleep mode.

In the sleep mode only the infrared sensor 3 and the analogue pre-amplifier are activated. Both these elements have a relatively low current consumption. The signal processor and the radio module with the transmitter, which consume a relatively high amount of current when in operation, are deactivated in the sleep mode and thus switched to minimal current consumption. When an IR pulse arrives, the signal processor and the radio module are awaken by the first pulse and activated to full operational efficiency. This is possible without losing information, because the IR signal codes known to be used when simulating duels redundant pulses are emitted several times after one another for the purpose of reducing the transmission error in the operation. The pulses, following the first pulse that activates the module 1 from its sleep mode, are processed and further transmitted. Subsequently the sensor module 1 returns automatically to the sleep mode.

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