Passive Geo-Location of Electromagnetic Emissions Using Phase Difference Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for geo-locating electronic devices using electromagnetic radiation emissions suffer from low accuracy, particularly when dealing with weak signal sources, as they require improved methods to precisely determine angular and spatial coordinates.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a moving platform with a pair of antennas and a processing unit to collect and process successive samples of electromagnetic energy emissions, employing phase difference analysis and statistical techniques to define the location of the emission source, incorporating interferometry and Kalman filter algorithms for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-antenna methods are used to collect electromagnetic emissions, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of angular and spatial coordinates is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple spatially separated antennas (at least two antennas positioned at different locations). Each antenna collects electromagnetic emissions independently, and the processing means analyzes the spatial and temporal differences between signals from different antennas to determine angular and spatial coordinates with higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-antenna temporal analysis to multi-antenna spatial-temporal analysis. By adding the spatial dimension through multiple antenna positions, the system can determine both angle of arrival and geographic location through interferometry and signal correlation techniques.
2Measurement precision
If passive collection methods are used during platform movement, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the accuracy of geo-location for weak signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active mechanical scanning or rotating antenna systems with a passive moving platform approach. The platform's natural movement through space provides diverse signal sampling angles and positions, eliminating the need for energy-consuming mechanical scanning mechanisms while maintaining or improving geo-location accuracy through statistical processing of successive samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent continuously collects electromagnetic emission samples during the platform's movement without interruption. By processing successive samples taken at different positions and orientations, the system accumulates sufficient data to accurately locate weak signal sources while the platform traverses the measurement area.
3Measurement precision
If multiple successive samples are collected and processed, then the measurement precision of emission source location is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of electromagnetic signal samples as they are collected, including initial filtering, correlation, and feature extraction. The processing means begins analyzing spatial and temporal characteristics of signals from multiple antennas in real-time during data collection, reducing the computational burden and time required for final location determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the platform's own movement through space as the measurement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate, time-consuming mechanical scanning operations. The natural traversal provides diverse sampling geometries that accelerate the convergence of location algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves accurate geo-location of electronic devices by processing phase differences and statistical analysis, providing precise angular and spatial coordinates, even with weak signals, and reduces errors caused by noise and environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna mounted on or within the platform and configured to collect a plurality of first samples of the electromagnetic energy emission and a second antenna positioned in a spaced apart relationship with the first antenna, the second antenna configured to collect a plurality of second samples of the electromagnetic energy emission
Implementation Method 2
employing phase difference analysis and statistical techniques to define the location of the emission source, incorporating interferometry and Kalman filter algorithms for enhanced accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A system for identifying a real-world geographic location of an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy includes a platform configured for movement and an apparatus disposed on the platform and configured to collect and process, in a passive manner and during movement of the platform, at least a pair of successive samples of the electromagnetic energy emission and define angular and spatial coordinates of the emission source. The apparatus includes at least a pair of antennas, a receiver coupled to antennas and a processor executing a predetermined logic.