A Geolocation System With Accuracy Self-Awareness (ASA) to Enable Reduced Size/Cost Antenna Arrays

The predominant method used in electronic support measure (ESM) systems to detect and geolocate noncooperative RF signals employs arrays of antennas to estimate signal angle of arrival (AOA). There are several issues that preclude wide installation of these, including very high cost, challenging installation requirements, size and weight, operation that requires highly trained specialists, and processing lag that precludes the timeliness needed in tactical operations. The main effort under this program is to reduce these burdens, and produce a system that can be installed on a much wider variety of platforms, including small and unmanned ones. Primarily, this is achieved through better ways of accounting for the necessarily inaccurate measurements that are obtained from smaller arrays on smaller platforms. We will also develop the antenna and receiver hardware that can take advantage of these improved methods, as well as higher-level operation software that alleviates many of the current operational difficulties. The envisioned product is a self-complete geolocation system, including hardware and software, with low cost and SWAP to enable ubiquitous installation. It can operate on single or multiple vehicles collaboratively, and automatically detect, identify, geolocate, and inform users of the source of signals of interest, including GNSS interferers.