Electromagnetic Localization, Interrogation, and Disruption (ELID) Using Wide-Bandwidth Antenna Arrays

SARA’s proposed solution, Electromagnetic Localization, Interrogation, and Disruption (ELID), employs a modified version of an existing wide-bandwidth spiral antenna (developed and manufactured by SARA) to cover the entire 2 MHz to 6 GHz bandwidth. SARA has over a decade of experience developing and deploying RF direction finding systems utilizing Angle-of-Arrival supplemented with GPS and inertial sensors; this is the basis for the proposed ELID concept. In addition, SARA has developed two generations of portable spectrum (10 kHz – 1 GHz) analyzers with an emphasis on long battery life (>9 hours of continuous use), noise floor (less than 135 dBm at 100 Hz RBW), and size (2.8” x 15” x 5”). ELID’s success will leverage each of these three areas of expertise to accomplish the mission objectives, with the added value of providing the absolute position of the detected RF sources. SARA envisions that this technology can also be used by the Army on a larger UGV to scout ahead of supply routes to ensure transport of supplies and personnel. ELID technology can also be installed as sentry monitoring of command posts. Additionally, this technology can be used by cellular phone service providers for real-time diagnostics of service towers.