Communications Signal Direction Finding And Cueing For Optical Systems

Abstract

This paper addresses the benefits of cueing an electro-optical (EO) payload by employing communications signal direction finding techniques. By using signal collection, signal processing and direction finding techniques to cue an optical sensor, the efficiency of target location, detection and recognition missions is greatly increased. The paper analyzes the effectiveness of a system which is currently implemented on a small platform unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is highly effective in the VHF/UHF frequency range. The system is both low -cost and reliable, important considerations in modern airborne reconnaissance.The paper emphasizes the optical payload operational benefit in terms of flight, time versus target detection time with and without communication signal DF cueing. Typical mission scenarios are presented including the impact of short signal emission times (i.e. push -to -talk radios), signal types and DF sensor accuracy. Diagrams of the sensor will be shown and data collected during real and simulated flights will be used as input to a simulation model to predict a high efficiency of operation for a tactical optical reconnaissance mission.