Mobile and Fixed Wireless Localization using Antenna Arrays

Project summary:

Localization of a source of wireless transmission using passive monitoring systems (non-GPS) in an urban setting is very challenging, and this has since been recognized by those who attempted to implement the E-911 localization mandate. This problem becomes even more difficult if the transmitter is non-cooperative, e.g. unlicensed and operating at illegal frequencies and/or power levels. This continuing work focuses on developing methods that use terrestrial or airborne antenna array platforms to localize transmitters, either by using the propagation signature of the waves created by the location-dependent urban multipath, or where applicable by accurate direction-finding techniques. The techniques and algorithms have been tested on data collected by our collaborators and sponsors in several locations in Japan.