Electronic programming system for detonating fuses
An electronic programming system is for programmable ammunitions “M” implemented in a firearm ( 1 ). The system is adapted to send information to a detonating fuse of an ammunition “M”, which stores the information inside it, and is adapted to receive information on the characteristics of the ammunition “M” from the detonating fuse. The programming system is directly implemented inside a firearm 1 , including at least one firearm-control unit 2 , adapted to control all the systems implemented in the firearm 1 . The electronic programming system includes at least one actuation mechanism 4 , adapted to provide an electrical coupling between the detonating fuse and the programming system, and a programmer-control device 3 , which, via appropriate interfaces, manages the data flows for communication both with the detonating fuse and with firearm-control unit 2.
1. Electronic programming system for programmable munitions implemented in a firearm, said system adapted to send information to a detonating fuse of an ammunition, which stores the information inside the detonating fuse, and adapted to receive information on the characteristics of the ammunition from the detonating fuse;
said firearm, comprising at least one firearm-control unit, for controlling systems implemented in said firearm;
said electronic programming system comprising at least one actuation mechanism, for providing an electrical coupling to the detonating fuse, and a programmer-control device, which, via interfaces, manages data flows for communication both with the detonating fuse and with the firearm-control unit;
wherein the actuation mechanism is controlled by the programmer-control device such that movement of the actuation mechanism is always synchronous with the systems implemented in said firearm, which are managed by the firearm-control device and adapted to enable the firearm to deflagrate an ammunition; and
at least one actuation section, from which the programmer-control device receives the data for programming the ammunition, to manage the movements of the actuation mechanism via an actuation-driving circuit comprised therein and to communicate with the programmer-control device.
2. The programming system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism comprises at least one actuator, for moving longitudinally at least one supporting structure, present in which are a plurality of contact portions, which encounter at least as many electrically conductive terminals set on the detonating fuse of the ammunition, guaranteeing the electrical connection between the actuation mechanism and the ammunition.
3. The programming system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism assumes at least two positions: a resting position, in which said system does not hamper any of the mechanisms adapted for enabling the firearm to deflagrate an ammunition; and a position of data exchange, in which the position of said actuation mechanism enables electrical connection between the detonating fuse and the programming system for bidirectional transfer of the data.
4. The programming system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism comprises at least one interface for munitions which is adapted for transferring the data, from the electronic programming system to the detonating fuse, and vice versa.
5. The programming system according to claim 4 , wherein communication between the detonating fuse and the actuation section occurs in a serial way via a multicast field bus.
6. The programming system according to claim 1 , wherein the programmer-control device comprises at least one user interface, for receiving the data, sent by the operator.
7. The programming system according to claim 6 , wherein the user interface is bidirectional, generating at output a summary of information of the ammunition in such a way that the operator is able to check on the ammunition that the electronic programming system is about to carry out programming and/or is able to check a programming state.