Synchronized RF Spectrum Search and Emitter Location

"The goal of this research program is to provide an "RF emitter map" of the battlefield by assembling properly synchronized direction-finding (DF) reports from multiple sensors. The proposed system applies a new technique that determines the location of anemitter with enhanced accuracy by optimally combining the data from multiple sensors in a synchronized network. The system will enhance conventional DF-based triangulation systems, which compute a line of bearing from each sensor as an intermediate step.The proposed technique utilizes a novel approach to processing multiple channels in parallel and has the added advantage that frequency-hopping emitters are less likely to go undetected. The location data would be viewed on a digital map display locally orover a wireless virtual private network.The proposed signal-combining approach is a logical extension of the approach developed by the proposing firm for gelocation of RF signals. Experiments with known waveforms have already successfully demonstrated improved location accuracy.In Phase I the system performance using airborne sensors will be studied through analysis and simulation. Performance improvements and system cost will be investigated and compared with other techniques of comparable complexity. A prototype designutilizing extensively commercial off-the-shelf components will be developed and outlined for Phase II with a plan for implementation. The primary application is the m