white paper hpem 062013 - vdi verein deutscher · pdf file3.2 narrow band hpm sources ......

White Paper on HPEM Technology __________________________________________________________

Commercial Sensitive 1 of 14 06.2013

White Paper

White Paper on HPEM Technology

Content:



List of abbreviations .................................................................................................... 3

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4

2 HPEM Technology Description ............................................................................ 5

2.1 History ........................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Basics ............................................................................................................ 5

2.3 The Diehl HPEM Sources .............................................................................. 6

2.4 Effects on targets ........................................................................................... 6

2.5 Personnel Safety ........................................................................................... 7

3 Difference between Diehl HPEM and other sources............................................ 8

3.1 Jammers ........................................................................................................ 8

3.2 Narrow Band HPM sources ........................................................................... 9

4 Diehl HPEM Products: ....................................................................................... 10

4.1 HPEMcase .................................................................................................. 10

4.2 HPEMcarStop .............................................................................................. 11

4.3 HPEMcheckPoint ......................................................................................... 12

4.4 HPEM Counter IED ..................................................................................... 13



List of abbreviations

C-IED Counter- Improvised Explosive Device

DS Damped sinusoidal

HPEM High Power Electromagnetics

HPM High Power Microwave

ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

IED Improvised Explosive Device

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

MHz Megahertz

R&D Research and Development

STANAG Standardization Agreement within the NATO



1 Introduction

In cooperation with the German Government, Diehl BGT Defence has developed a unique technology to deliver optimised High Power Electromagnetic pulses (HPEM) capable of disabling or disrupting electronics components such as used in improvised explosive devices (IED), land and sea vehicle engine electronics, computers, control systems and intelligence equipment such as bugs. Today, Diehl BGT Defence is the world leader in the field of HPEM sources for defence and security applications. The following products are based on this technology: HPEMcase: A compact and effective HPEM source fitted into a suitcase. Optimised for special forces to deactivate alarm systems and computers as well as to conduct personal checkpoints and bug clearance. HPEMcarStop: Optimised HPEM source integrated into a potent vehicle to stop trucks, cars and motorcycles in moving scenarios. HPEMcheckPoint: A combination of the HPEMcarstop with a very powerful HPEM source on a trailer to stop vehicles in static scenarios such as in checkpoints, camp entries and in front of sensitive infrastructure. This combination provides all possibilities in the critical scenario of a checkpoint. HPEM C-IED: Counter IED system with the biggest yield against electronically triggered IEDs compared to any other existing system. As the HPEM technology offers a wide range of applications the product range is steadily enhanced. One future application will be the HPEMboatStop to bring water craft like water scooters, motor- and speedboats to a halt. The Diehl HPEM technology and the emitted radiation is safe and does not affect the health of persons outside the safety limits.



2 HPEM Technology Description

2.1 History

Since 1991 Diehl BGT Defence is the main contractor for the German armed forces to conduct investigations on effects of electromagnetic radiation on intelligent ammunition, complex military systems, military targets, communication and computer

networks as well as missiles. During this time, qualified equipment from the German armed forces but also from other sources, and former adverse countries, were analysed and assessed. To improve the possibilities, Diehl is designing since 1997 electromagnetic radiators optimised to influence the above described targets. Therefore, different technologies were analysed and enhanced to maximise the effects on the targets by increasing output power and customisation of frequency and radiated pattern. Through this support by the German armed forces

Diehl was able to gain comprehensive knowledge on how to affect different electronic systems with electromagnetic radiation and how to design and built the appropriate sources to do so.

2.2 Basics

Whenever a spark or lightning occurs, electromagnetic radiation is generated and emitted. The more powerful the spark, the higher the emitted energy. Depending on the physical conditions around the spark the electromagnetic radiation has a certain frequency pattern.

The effects of such electromagnetic radiation caused by lightning during a thunder-storm can be noticed as image interference on TV sets or a sudden noise on the radio. These effects occur because of parasitic currents which are induced by the electromagnetic radiation into the TV sets,

radios or other electronic systems. The higher this induced currencies, the more serious these effects which can reach from simple disturbance up to destruction. A crucial factor, besides the emitted energy, is the frequency pattern used in order to maximise the effect on the target. For every system to be influenced, an optimum

Figure 1: Test setup from early HPEM investigations at Diehl

Figure 2: Symbolic illustration of natural electromagnetic interference phenomenon



frequency for inducing currents can be determined. Radio communication is a good example for this. Here, the receiving unit or antenna is optimised regarding the frequency used. By doing so, signals can be transmitted over large distances with very low power demand. But as soon as the frequency fails match exactly the receiving structure, very low or no effect is achieved at the target. So the challenge to influence different electronic targets effectively is, to design an electromagnetic source which is able to emit a powerful radiation with a frequency pattern coping with the desired range of targets.

2.3 The Diehl HPEM Sources

Our HPEM sources utilize up to 1.400.000 Volts to generate their electromagnetic pulses. This high voltage is obtained by specially designed, built-in high voltage converter cascades. The electromagnetic field emitted is up to 350.000 Volt/meter which equals an output performance of more than 1.000 Megawatts. But as the radiation of the sources is pulsed (10 to 100 pulses per second) and each pulse only lasts about five billionth of a second (0.000 000 005 seconds), the average

of emitted power is low and therefore causes no harm to individuals. To maximise the effect of the radiated electromagnetic energy, every pulse covers not only a certain frequency but a frequency range which is optimised for the desired target spectrum. This kind of radiation pattern is called damped sinusoidal pulse (DS pulse). The benefit of this approach is

that the energy is concentrated in a spectrum of radiation which is effective on the targets (typically ± 30% of centre frequency) and at the same time wide enough to affect different targets.

2.4 Effects on targets

The effects of HPEM sources on targets are caused by inducing currents into the electronic circuits. The structure, connections and cables of the target serve as antennas for the electromagnetic radiation. Electronic circuits normally work with a supply voltage from below 1 V to 5 Volts. The Diehl HPEM sources are capable of inducing voltages several times higher than these values in the electronic structure of the target. These failure currents disturb the internal signal processing and additionally disable semiconductor components so that the system is interrupted and cannot fulfil its task. This condition of deadlock in the targets remains even after the HPEM source is switched of, as the effects are obtained by the targets inherent energy supply.

Figure 3: Radiated pulse shape



The Diehl HPEM sources are designed to disrupt electronics and, if desired by the customer, to damage them. A deadlock of a system caused by HPEM can typically be reversed by disconnecting the energy supply of the target to reach a complete strain relief and reset of the system.

2.5 Personnel Safety

Our HPEM sources are compliant with all relevant standards and safety recommendations regarding electromagnetic radiators. The most important standards are:

a) IRPA/ICNIRP (International Radiation Protection Association / International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). This international association develops recommendations1 for the protection of personnel and general public against electromagnetic irradiation. These safety recommendations are the basis of all standards and regulations laid down in the US and Europe.

b) IEEE Standard C95.1. This standard is widely used within the US.

c) NATO STANAG 2345. The latest issue of STANAG 2345 (Edition 3, Feb. 13,

2003) The radiation of our HPEM sources comprises very high peak power values, but as they are using a pulsed radiation pattern with very low pulse durations (about 5 nanoseconds), the average of emitted energy is low. Consequential, according to international standards, the safety distances for professional personnel and casual groups are, for example, lower than for conventional jammers, widely in service.

1 International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), "Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz), ICNIRP Guidelines", Health Physics, Volume 74, Number 4, pp. 494-522, April 1998]



3 Difference between Diehl HPEM and other sources

3.1 Jammers

Difference between Diehl HPEM sources and Jammers: Jammers are used to suppress radio communication. There are several types of jammer principles on the market. The range of technologies for jamming reaches from simply rising background noise up to reactive jammers which automatically adapt their jamming signal to the frequencies used. Every jamming method works by decreasing the signal to noise ratio of radio communication, so they can only disturb radio communication “on air”. If the target system is not relying on radio signals, jammers have no effects and no influence. A further important difference is the fact, that jammers only suppress data exchange over radio frequency in their vicinity. Once, the jammer is switched of or moved away, all communication based on radio frequency is operational again. Diehl HPEM sources affect the electronics of the targets itself, not only the data link, no matter if they are using a radio data link or not. Further the affected electronics require a reset (for example by disconnecting the battery) to work again.

Figure 4: Jammers only supresses’ radio frequency d ata link between sender and receiver

temporary; HPEM durable affects all kind of electro nics



3.2 Narrow Band HPM sources

Difference between Diehl HPEM sources and Narrow Ba nd HPM sources: While Diehl’s HPEM sources spread their energy over a certain frequency band, the Narrow Band HPM (High Power Microwave) has all pulse energy within almost a single frequency. The high energy content within a single frequency is effective if it fits exactly the vulnerable frequency of a certain target. But if only a certain frequency is used which does not fit the target exactly, very little or even no effects is achieved. In Counter-IED and most other electromagnetic interference applications the proper target frequencies are not known exactly. Further, the pulses of Narrow Band sources are much longer, typically in the range of several 100 nanoseconds up to several microseconds. This leads to higher average output power compared to Diehl HPEM sources with all the consequences regarding safety distances for personnel and casuals.



4 Diehl HPEM Products:

4.1 HPEMcase

A compact and effective HPEM source fitted into a suitcase optimized for the needs of Special Forces. This highly mobile source including internal energy supply is used to influence command and data centres, computers, alarm systems control devices, surveillance installations as well as all other kinds of electronics. Its small size, robust construction, and very high output power to weight ratio make this HPEM source a very flexible gear for a wide range of applications. The user interface allows different settings regarding on-delay time, operating time and number of pulses to emit. This system is in service within Special Forces around the world as well as in research institutes to conduct laboratory tests of electronic equipment against HPEM radiation. For the protection of critical infrastructure against suicide bombers and intelligence equipment the HPEMcase can also be used within a personnel checkpoint. Therefore, the source can be hidden behind a wall as the emitted radiation passes through non-conducting materials.

Size 500x410x200 mm3 Weight 28 kg Max. peak radiated power 365 MW Repetition rate 10 Hz Centre frequency 350 MHz 3 dB bandwidth 50 MHz Battery operating time 20 min Maximum burst length 60 s Operating temp. range +15 °C up to +48 °C

typical values

Figure 5: HPEMcase on tripod

Figure 6: HPEMcase opened and technical details



4.2 HPEMcarStop

The system consists of a powerful HPEM source optimised for this application and integrated into an agile carrier platform, designed for stopping vehicles in dynamic scenarios. As a carrier platform the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was chosen as this car offers superior driving performance (0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 s) without catching too much attention. The source is completely integrated into the vehicles hull and the system can hardly be distinguished from a normal Jeep.

The HPEMcarStop can affect vehicles equipped with electronic motor management (which is a standard since the 80’s) but no antique cars with electro mechanic ignition system. For maximum efficiency the radiated energy is focused on the rear left area of the vehicle to prevent other vehicles from overtaking the HPEMcarStop. The engine of vehicles within the radiation zone will stop and won’t work as

long as the HPEM source is switched on. At the same time, the engine of the target car stops workingand the servo support for the steering is interrupted. As a consequence the agility of the target car is strongly reduced which hampers the execution of evasive manoeuvers. During radiation the breaking system of the target vehicle will remain unaffected as the power brake unit stores its energy mechanically. This gives the driver of the target vehicle the possibility to stop under safe conditions. Some vehicles can be restarted after the HPEM source is switched off and in some cases, the target vehicles battery has to be disconnected for half a minute to be able to restart it.

Max. peak radiated power 4 GW Repetition rate 60 Hz Centre frequency 350 MHz 3 dB bandwidth 50 MHz Maximum burst length 180 sec

Typical values

Figure 8: Technical data HPEMcarStop Within the latest demonstrations conducted, all vehicles selected by customers were stopped. But as it is not possible to test every vehicle on the market a yield of more than 70% can be expected in any case.

Figure 7: HPEMcarStop



4.3 HPEMcheckPoint

The HPEMcheckPoint System consists of the HPEMcarStop and the most powerful HPEM source in the product range, the HPEMtrailer. Positioned in front of sensitive infrastructure or within a checkpoint, the HPEMtrailer is able to turn off the engine of vehicles passing by the trailer.

Figure 9: HPEMcheckPoint Sytem

Figure 10 shows a possible scenario within a checkpoint. All vehicles have to pass the HPEMtrailer by doing a slight S-bend. In the moment, the target vehicle is in a diagonal orientation on the road it enters the radiation zone of the trailers source. In the same moment the engine turns off and the power support for steering gets lost. As the driver can’t handle the curve without power steering he reflexively does a full breaking. This phenomenon of a subconscious triggered full break was observed in any test and demonstration done so far.

Figure 10: Checkpoint scenario

In the checkpoint scenario the HPEMcarStop serves as a backup for the HPEMtrailer or is employed for other tasks. This combination of Diehl HPEM sources provides the optimum solution in ambiguous or escalating scenarios within checkpoints.

3



4.4 HPEM Counter IED

In 2009 one of the outcomes of the International Lessons Learned Conference on IEDs showed that the total share of radio frequency triggered IEDs (RF-IEDs) has decreased to approximately 10 % of all IEDs found in Afghanistan. This means, that the jammers currently in service all over the world are only able to protect the soldiers from 10% of these threats. So the search for a broader solution was intensified and study results (contracted by the German Procurement Agency to Diehl) showed, that with the HPEM C-IED technology it is possible to consistently eliminate the five most common types of IEDs in Afghanistan. For this reason, the German Armed Forces have redirected a substantial amount of their R&D budget to the development of HPEM C-IED technology and, in particular, a HPEM Force Protection Vehicle which was tested in Afghanistan.

Figure 11: HPEM C-IED integration example on armour ed vehicle

The HPEM C-IED system has the possibility to affect all electronically triggered IEDs as for example Radio Controlled IEDs, sensor triggered IEDs (e.g. infrared or magnetic field sensors, noise detectors), timer triggers or electronic trigger mechanisms based on a counter. Electronically triggered IED affected by HPEM will be pre-ignited in a safe distance from the vehicle or permanently blocked. The reaction of the IED depends on its design. In any case, also the convoy following the HPEM vehicle is safe. Performance data of this system is confidential and can only be released with permission from the German authorities.



For further information contact: Michael SPORER, Head of Product Management HPEM products Mobile: +49 172 813 9885 Mail: [email protected] or Wolfgang MUCKENHUBER, Marketing Mobile: +49 172 284 9760 Mail: [email protected]

white paper hpem 062013 - vdi verein deutscher · pdf file3.2 narrow band hpm sources ......

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