How to Locate Interfering Signals with TDoA

+ FieldFox Handheld Microwave Analyzer

Triangulating The Time Delays Between Receiver Pairs

Determining the location of an unknown signal source in the increasingly crowded spectrum requires advanced direction-finding (DF) techniques. Interference can take various forms, including continuous wave or modulated signals, pulse interference, and narrowband or broadband interference. When locating wideband and digitally modulated interference, Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) is an effective DF technique. Signal detection, identification, synchronization, and processing are all necessary steps in interference mitigation with TDoA.

Locating the source of an unknown emitter using TDoA requires measuring and triangulating the time delays between receivers. Remote spectrum monitoring software detects the interference. Sophisticated signal processing algorithms analyze and characterize the detected signals. Several synchronized spectrum analyzers, connected to the remote monitoring software network, collect real-time spectrum data of the modulated wideband signal. The software calculates the intersection of the hyperbolas to estimate the emitter’s location using geolocation and timestamping. This process integrates with a mapping system to visually represent the interference signal source.

TDoA Direction-Finding Solution

Locating wideband emitters and interfering signals requires advanced directional finding techniques. Perform TDoA using Keysight Spectrum Management Software (KSMS) networked with three synchronized Keysight FieldFox handheld analyzers. KSMS uses FieldFox as a monitoring device. Operators can then use the same instrument for the entire life cycle of interference hunting, including last-mile testing and locating interference sources. FieldFox enables the convenience of portable test sites, while KSMS provides remote field monitoring capabilities.

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