Aug 26, 2025

US12398987 - Method for ascertaining position information for an effector, effector, computing unit and weapons system

A method for ascertaining position information for an effector after launching from a launcher of a weapons system including the effector and at least one weapons system unit different from the effector, includes receiving a time synchronization signal at the effector in such a way that the effector and the at least one weapons system unit are temporally synchronized at the latest when the effector is launched. The effector furthermore receives position data of the at least one weapons system unit and a timestamp with unique assignment to the position data through a wireless communication connection after the effector has been launched. Position information is ascertained based on the timestamp, the effector's own time upon receipt of the timestamp, and the position data assigned uniquely to the timestamp. An effector, a computing unit and a weapons system are also provided.

Assignee: Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors: Andre Selz, Rene Freter
Filing date: 2021-02-04

The patent describes a method for determining the position of an effector after it has been launched from a weapons system, utilizing time synchronization and position data received wirelessly. This method ensures that the effector and other system units are temporally aligned, allowing for accurate position information to be calculated based on timestamps and received data.

Claim 1

A method for ascertaining position information for an effector after launching from a launcher of a weapons system having the effector and at least one mobile or stationary weapons system unit different from the effector, the method comprising: receiving a time synchronization signal for a time synchronization of the effector with the at least one weapons system unit for temporally synchronizing the effector and the at least one weapons system unit no later than launching of the effector; receiving position data of the at least one weapons system unit of the weapons system; receiving a timestamp with a unique assignment to the position data through a wireless communication connection after the effector has been launched; receiving the position data and the timestamp as a 2-tuple in a data packet or receiving the position data, the timestamp, and an identifier as a 3-tuple in a data packet; and ascertaining the position information based on the timestamp, the effector’s own time upon receipt of the timestamp, and the position data assigned uniquely to the timestamp. receiving a time synchronization signal for a time synchronization of the effector with the at least one weapons system unit for temporally synchronizing the effector and the at least one weapons system unit no later than launching of the effector; receiving position data of the at least one weapons system unit of the weapons system; receiving a timestamp with a unique assignment to the position data through a wireless communication connection after the effector has been launched; receiving the position data and the timestamp as a 2-tuple in a data packet or receiving the position data, the timestamp, and an identifier as a 3-tuple in a data packet; and ascertaining the position information based on the timestamp, the effector’s own time upon receipt of the timestamp, and the position data assigned uniquely to the timestamp.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12398987

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12398987