The DHS, Science & Technology Branch funded this report.
Executive Summary
In recent years, radio frequency (RF) jammers have become increasingly more accessible to the public. While most RF jamming is benign and simply intended to provide extra privacy, first responder operations have also been specifically targeted by jamming and interference attacks. RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment can be used to detect, identify, and locate RF interference sources that may be disrupting first responder communications systems. Many RF technologies are available for operational field usage, as opposed to laboratory usage. This allows for quick deployment, letting responders locate and mitigate radio interference. Some of these products can be installed as a permanent fixed sensor or can be portable and deployed temporarily as a fixed sensor. Other products are handheld and mobile, allowing responders to thoroughly search an area, which may be affected by RF interference. Some of these products have features such as built-in map and spectrum plot displays to provide data visualization or internal storage drives that allow data to be recorded for future analysis. These technologies can detect RF interference sources at frequencies as low as 9 kHz and as high as 18 GHz. The purpose of this market survey report is to provide emergency responders with information on RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment that are commercially available in order to guide purchasing and acquisition decision-making. In June 2018, NUSTL through its System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program, conducted a market survey of RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment. The survey produced 14 products ranging in price from $15,000 to $270,000. The results of the market survey are highlighted in this report. Performance of these products has not been independently verified by NISTL. Emergency response agencies that consider purchasing RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment should carefully research the overall capabilities and limitations and technical specifications of each system in relation to their agency’s operational needs.
Executive Summary
In recent years, radio frequency (RF) jammers have become increasingly more accessible to the public. While most RF jamming is benign and simply intended to provide extra privacy, first responder operations have also been specifically targeted by jamming and interference attacks. RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment can be used to detect, identify, and locate RF interference sources that may be disrupting first responder communications systems. Many RF technologies are available for operational field usage, as opposed to laboratory usage. This allows for quick deployment, letting responders locate and mitigate radio interference. Some of these products can be installed as a permanent fixed sensor or can be portable and deployed temporarily as a fixed sensor. Other products are handheld and mobile, allowing responders to thoroughly search an area, which may be affected by RF interference. Some of these products have features such as built-in map and spectrum plot displays to provide data visualization or internal storage drives that allow data to be recorded for future analysis. These technologies can detect RF interference sources at frequencies as low as 9 kHz and as high as 18 GHz. The purpose of this market survey report is to provide emergency responders with information on RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment that are commercially available in order to guide purchasing and acquisition decision-making. In June 2018, NUSTL through its System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program, conducted a market survey of RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment. The survey produced 14 products ranging in price from $15,000 to $270,000. The results of the market survey are highlighted in this report. Performance of these products has not been independently verified by NISTL. Emergency response agencies that consider purchasing RF detection, spectrum analysis, and direction finding equipment should carefully research the overall capabilities and limitations and technical specifications of each system in relation to their agency’s operational needs.
Download the report - pdf file.
| signal_analyzers_-_dhs_report.pdf |
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