Unmanned Water Vehicle RF Interception for Accurate Source Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current signal interception systems are ineffective for accurately locating the source of signals in dynamic environments like the sea, as they are designed for fixed platforms and cannot handle unstable orientations.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned water vehicle equipped with High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) antenna arrays, sensors to measure position and orientation, and a processor to determine the source of signals by geo-correlating the vehicle's position and orientation, enabling the transmission of signal data and source location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal interception systems are designed for fixed platforms, then system stability is maintained, but the system cannot accurately locate signal sources in dynamic marine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed platform assumptions to dynamic platform operation by continuously measuring and compensating for vehicle position and orientation changes. The signal processing algorithm dynamically adjusts to the moving platform's changing geometry relative to signal sources, enabling accurate localization despite platform motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by incorporating real-time position and orientation data into the signal processing pipeline. By dynamically updating the geometric relationship parameters between the antenna array and signal sources based on measured vehicle state, the system maintains localization accuracy in dynamic environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If antenna arrays are deployed on unstable moving platforms, then platform versatility is improved, but signal interception accuracy deteriorates due to orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the vehicle's position and orientation using sensors, then feeding this information back into the signal processing algorithm. The algorithm uses this feedback to dynamically correct for platform motion effects, maintaining signal direction accuracy despite changes in platform orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to dynamic platform conditions by continuously updating the signal processing calculations based on real-time measurements of vehicle position and orientation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain measurement precision while operating from mobile platforms.
3Productivity
If multiple frequency spectrums are monitored simultaneously, then intelligence gathering capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by designing the antenna array and signal processing architecture to handle multiple frequency spectrums (HF and VHF) simultaneously. The same physical infrastructure and processing platform are used to monitor and analyze signals across different frequency bands, improving intelligence gathering without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are unmanned water vehicles, platforms, and media for stealthy, low-power, and long range electronic warfare and signals intelligence. The unmanned water vehicles, platforms, and media herein are capable of capturing communication between ships, land and air and ground stations across multiple spectra, and transmitting real-time disambiguated transmission recordings and source positions.