Geolocation & Direction Finding
Detect, locate and track signals or interference easily and with incredible accuracy across a variety of environments.
Instant Awareness and Location of Signals or Interference of Interest
A step beyond identifying activity in the RF space, Overt AI automatically engages direction finding and geolocation techniques to pinpoint occurrences, providing the whereabouts and movement map in real-time. This function offers crucial information at speed for civilian and military contexts.
A Broad Range of Uses
- Drone and aircraft detection, location and tracking
- Hunt down RF emitting or RF jamming equipment
- Map and revise the movement of signals
- Perimeter and border security
- Battlefield situational awareness and threat location
- Direction finding in problematic environments such as cities
Gain an advantage with Overt AI solutions through complete awareness and control across large areas.
Geolocation vs Direction Finding
Geolocation is the ability to pinpoint the location of a transmitter or interference. The signals time difference of arrival (TDOA) and power of arrival (POA) determine the geolocation of the spectrum activity in up to three dimensions through cross-comparison of the strength and speed of the signal received between allocated sensors. On the other hand, Direction Finding (DF) refers to the angle of arrival (AOA) of RF activity to the sensor. A continuously evolving bearing allows an array of vehicles to track the direction of the source.
Overt AI employs a hybrid approach of the three methods of RF location detection to maximise accuracy. A continued relay of data allows our system to track and map the movement of emitters, providing further information for strategic response. If just one of the approaches is required, we can remotely deploy and enable specific targeting methods to best locate the signal in question.
The Implications of Urban Environments
Significantly improve your direction-finding performance in even the most challenging urban terrains.
Urban environments are highly problematic for the RF space, even for the most finely calibrated equipment. These locations are exceedingly congested, with interference and buildings blocking and reflecting signals, resulting in multi-path propagation. Locating activity of interest can be compromised as inaccurate bearings lead mobile array units in the wrong direction.
Crucial time goes to waste as direction-finding vehicles struggle to secure the correct bearing. System performance and accuracy suffer if the distance between personnel and the target grows, potentially costing the opportunity of locating the target.
Due to awkward boundaries in physics, it’s not possible to eliminate multi-path propagation from occurring. However, we can optimise direction-finding capabilities and lower the frequency of misdirection in even the most challenging terrains.
Big buildings, bigger problems
DF systems can avoid multi-path propagation by exploiting higher altitudes, reducing the amount of obstruction. However, with buildings scaling into the skies, taking full advantage of height becomes arduous in city locations.
Example Case
In early 2021 drivers found themselves locked out of their cars at a Royston Tesco supermarket here in the UK. Their key fobs were suspected to be actively jammed by an unknown source in the local frequency space. The event continued over a week, with police and Ofcom unable to determine the source and motive of the events. While merely an inconvenience to shoppers, the potential damages of similar denial of access attacks are vastly scalable depending on the facilities and their logistical and physical powers.
Improve Urban Performance
Added Value of Overt AI (Additional benefits)
SWaP-C:
Size & Weight – The current device is ideal for vehicle and immobile installation, capable of fitting into a back-pack and weighing in at just under 6kg. We are exploring an exciting ultra-mobile form factor where our technology can fit in your pocket or a belt for physically demanding in-field, mobile operations.
Power – A wide input voltage, allowing it to be powered by a car. The device is power efficient through relatively low consumption and has both options of mains and battery power.
Cost – We have taken common budgetary structures into consideration. We provide a cost-effective capital expense for the nodes themselves with a discounting methodology for scaling if buyers want increasing quantities of nodes. Beyond the capital expense we offer annual subscription models for function abilities, allowing buyers to tailor the products capabilities to their operations and maintain reliable contact and customer service.
More Overt Applications
Drone Defence
Quickly and accurately identify / locate both aerial transmitters and the source of their control signal – the drone operator.
Find out More
Counter-Surveillance
Eliminate the threat of bugs and illicit surveillance through detailed, real-time oversight of active devices and their location. Employ offensive measures to stop attempts as they start.
Find out More
IoT Monitoring
Overt AI enhances security and operational functionality by providing users with a thorough real-time and recorded account of their IoT technology assets activity.
Find out MoreTo learn more about these capabilities, and to view a demonstration, please get in touch.