Enhanced Counter-Surveillance via Hiawatha RF Sensing

In the event of operations in the Pacific theater U.S. Armed Forces will be engaged far afield from home territory which invokes a ōtyranny of distanceö wherein the logistical stresses induced by the distance lessen military effectiveness and increase the cost of conflicts. Many long-range sensing solutions require an active probing component, such as radar. This active probe signal can be detected and expose the position of ally forces to adversaries. In contrast to active sensors there are passives sensing methods that are gaining support and maturement, these solutions would allow ship vessels to detect threats and maintain communication via a lower digital footprint. One such mature passive sensor is NokomisÆ Hiawatha, which is an ultra-sensitive spectrum analyzer with -170 dBm sensitivity.Ā NokomisÆ sensor solution works on the foundation of detection and collection of intended and unintended radio frequency (RF) emissions that propagate from all electronics and electronic devices. As mentioned all electronic systems, devices, and components emit unintended RF emissions as a result of current flow during regular operation. The signature of these unintended RF emissions depends on the components to the system and the geometric construction of the circuitry, and as such the signature of the emissions are causally linked to the construction and operation of the device. As the field of warfare has steadily advanced electronic components and systems have become incorporated effectively into every piece of equipment fielded as a threat. Even when operating at reduced intended emission levels, threat systems will produce unintended emissions that can be captured and used to detect and identify the threat. Through characterization of RF signatures the presence and identity of threats can be determined at long range and with a turnaround time of less than 1 second. The phenomenology leveraged by NokomisÆ technology has a well-understood foundation in electrodynamics. Current flow through internal circuitry, and the inherent acceleration and deceleration of electrons, result in spontaneous emissions that are dependent on path length, geometry, and the electrical properties of the circuity used such as reactance and resistance. As a result, the unintended emissions of a device directly relate to its internal circuitry and material composition. Complex electronic systems such as drones, radar systems, vehicles, ships, and other potential adversaries are composed of multiple discrete components and subsystems which each perform and experience failure in different ways. Nokomis proposes a long range, passive, autonomous RF sensing capability to improve allied situational awareness and counter-surveillance.