Detection and localization of multiple R/C electronic devices using array detectors

Abstract

Detection and localization of multiple radio controlled (RC) electronic devices has many security applications. This paper first proposes a cost-effective mobile array detector for such RC electronic devices. Subsequently, by using the array detector, a novel scheme is presented for detection, identification, and localization of multiple devices emitting unintended passive emissions. The Hurst parameter method is proposed for detection and identification of devices with super-regenerative receivers while peak detection is used for detection and identification of devices with super heterodyne receivers. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms traditional methodologies with single antenna.

Detection and Localization of Multiple R/C Electronic Devices Using Array Detectors

“…This can be used to estimate the frequency of the unintended emissions. The power of the emissions can be calculated by match filter detection [1], [3].…”

“…Measurements were made with the walkie-talkie placed at angles 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°. Synthetic beam forming was described using (1)-(3) to obtain power received with the AoA [1]. Fig.…”

“…Regulatory standards limit the level of these emissions; however, some unintended radiations will always be present. Typical radio-controlled (RC) devices have either superheterodyne [1]- [5] or superregenerative receivers [6], [7]. These devices emit the unintended emissions that can be used to identify and locate an RC device.…”

“…Studies have indicated that unintended passive emissions from a superheterodyne receiver (SHR) can be detected using a stimulated source [1], [2]. A second-order self-similarity representation was used to detect the emissions generated by a super-regenerative receiver [6], [7] of an unknown device.…”

Analysis of localization methods for unintended emitting sources

“…Localization of electronic devices through their unintended emissions has many security and commercial applications. However, since the devices are not active and the emissions are generated with a stimulation signal, the signal power of the received emissions is very low [1][2][3], which makes the localization more challenging. In the literature, localization results are presented for active devices where they have a considerable output power and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) [4][5][6][7] and also provide far-field localization [4][5][6][7].…”