How does an RF recorder help with the counter drone mission? Signal fingerprinting is a strong tool to add to an existing toolset, especially when presented with threats that emit signals that are not part of existing cUAS system RF signature libraries. RFeye Nodes designed for Drone Defense applications are looking at the PHY (physical) layer of the RF signal, meaning just the base signal characteristics. By taking a record of an existing area of interest with known and unknown signals, you can create, on the fly, new detectors specifically designed to geolocate these new, discovered signals. That means you are able to dynamically update your system, by the operator, on the fly. You can learn more about RF recording by reading on!

The RFeye SenS Portable RF spectrum I/Q recorder is designed for the operator who needs to capture and analyze signals in high fidelity across a wide frequency range. It allows you to capture intermittent, low-power and short-duration signals, even if these signals occur outside of working hours or hide next to other transmission sources.

Recording RF presents several challenges, especially when you need to record signals in the field.

  • You don’t always know the exact time the signal will occur, so you’ll need long-duration recording.
  • You need to be able to view signals hiding within a potentially noisy RF background, so you’ll need high-bandwidth, high-fidelity, low-noise systems.
  • You may need to record signals in remote environments, so you’ll need a system with low size, weight and power for portability.

Most real-time spectrum analyzers have minimal recording capability, or even none at all. Some just record snippets; others need a separate recorder. Many systems that offer recording have minimal signal fidelity, limited bandwidth and high noise. Even if you do have a fully featured desktop system, it’s often too heavy and bulky to carry into the field or lug around a building. When combined with high power requirements, this means that traditional systems are less than ideal for use on the move.

The RFeye SenS Remote combines the RF and edge processing capabilities of the RFeye Node together with the high-fidelity I/Q recording and signal extraction of the RFeye SenS family

The RFeye SenS Portable is a lightweight, extremely high-resolution RF recorder. It can continuously stream full-rate, 16-bit I/Q data to built-in, enterprise-class SSDs, so you’ll never miss a signal. With a frequency range of up to 8 GHz or 18 GHz and a 100-MHz IBW, SenS captures and records data with a much higher level of fidelity than can be achieved by other systems.

SenS Remote advantages Features and Benefits

  • Wide-area spectrum monitoring up to 40GHz
  • 100MHz IBW fiber optic streaming
  • Long duration I/Q recording
  • Rugged IP67 remote receiver for mast or building deployment (maintains no operational process intelligence if captured)
  • COTS system processors and recording media in secure equipment hut
  • RFeye DeepView forensic analysis software included
  • Fiber advantages:
    • Supports longer-duration recording of full-rate I/Q at 100 MHz IBW
    • No Ethernet protocols – intercepted data reveals no operational intelligence
  • Designed for VITA-49

The RFeye SenS Portable is a lightweight, extremely high-resolution RF recorder. It can continuously stream full-rate, 16-bit I/Q data to built-in, enterprise-class SSDs, so you’ll never miss a signal. With a frequency range of up to 8 GHz, 18 GHz or 40 GHz and a 100-MHz IBW, SenS captures and records data with a much higher level of fidelity than can be achieved by other systems.

SenS advantages

Low SWaP

  • Lightweight, highly portable
  • 6.4 TB and 12.8 TB options: 7 lbs, 6 oz (3.4 kg)
  • 25.6 TB option: 7 lbs, 11 oz (3.5 kg)
  • 277 x 126 x 165 mm

High fidelity

  • 1 Hz resolution, 100 MHz IBW
  • 9 kHz to 8, 18 or 40 GHz range

Large data storage

  • Built-in configurable storage from 6.4 to 25.6 TB (up to 12 hours of data at 100 MHz IBW)

Powerful ‘Big Data’ analysis software

  • Rapidly identify key signals across terabytes of data

Precision signal extraction for RF spectrum data

DeepView is an RF signal analysis tool that controls the SenS Portable. It can quickly identify key signals across terabytes of data without forcing an operator to wade through hours of recording. It captures and exports ultra-short pulses and other signals of interest (SOIs), drastically reducing post-processing time.

Export and playback

  • Record and export captures of I/Q in .xdat, .rfiq and .siq file formats
  • Export chart data in JSON format
  • Playback the whole dataset or selected sections on I/Q
  • Designed for interoperability with other systems