Interference Hunting

(Tools)

Pavel Solodnikov 17
Table of content

Spectrum Analyser FSH

Interference Receiver PR100
Scanner TSMA/E with Romes
Mobile Locator DDF007

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Spectrum Analyzer FSH
HE300
Modular handle and swappable
elements cover wide frequency
range :
20 MHz to 200 MHz
200 MHz to 500 MHz
500 MHz to 7.5 GHz
Integrated GPS / electronic
compass
Integrated low noise preamplifier

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Interference Analyzer
The Interference Analyzer mode provides the ability
to visualize and measure spectrum

Similar to spectrum analyzer mode

Standard measurements include channel power,

OBW and ACLR.

Interference-specific measurements include Carrier

to Noise and Carrier to Interference

Spectrogram display, record, and playback are also

included with the Interference Analyzer option

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Carrier-to-Noise

The Carrier-to-Noise (C/N)

measurement is a tool to determine if a
signal has sufficient power compared
to the surrounding spectrum

The FSH determines the distance

between the level of the carrier and the
lowest signal level that has been
measured (usually the noise floor).

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Carrier to Interference

The Carrier-to-Interference (C/I)

measurement is a tool to determine if a
signal is affected by interference from
neighboring channels.

The FSH determines the distance

between the level of the carrier and the
second strongest level.

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Spectrogram
Spectrograms display amplitude vs. frequency over time. Amplitude is indicated
by the color of the spectrogram display.
Spectrogram reference, range, and other parameters can be specified
Extremely useful in interference hunting allows the observation of a signals
behavior over time.

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Spectrogram playback
Spectrograms can be
saved and played back,
either directly on the FSH
on using the FSH4View
software on a PC.

Spectrograms can be
recorded for up to 72 hours

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Maps
The map mode provides on-instrument
display of maps and measurement data.
Two map modes are supported :
Triangulation Used for plotting
bearings (azimuth) and calculating
triangulation
Geotagging Used to record selected
measurement values at given intervals
OpenStreetMap is used for map data.
Maps are downloaded and stored on the
FSH SD card

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Triangulation Mode Trace Current Position
Trace Current Position centers the
map around the current location of
the FSH (as determined by the GPS
lat/long information)

Particularly useful when driving

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 Saving Positions and Azimuth
The azimuth (or bearing) is the
direction in which the antenna is
currently pointed

This information can be using the

menu or the trigger on the HL300
antenna

The power bar and power result can

help determine the direction of
maximum receive power (i.e. bearings
towards the transmitter)

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 Computing Triangulation
The Triangulate function computes
the triangulation point for up to five
selected bearings.

The lat / long and error radius of the

triangulation point are also displayed.

The computed triangulation point can

be saved to the SD card.

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Tone Function
The Tone function outputs an audible tone
whose level varies according to the received
signal strength level.

The current receive level (dashed line) and

squelch level (solid line) are displayed in the
power bar.

Tone can be used both for obtaining bearings

as well as for sweeping an area to determine
the precise location of an interferer.

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Event Source
When Save on Event is selected, an Event Source
must be specified.

Four different event sources:

Time Interval saves measurement every X
seconds
Limit Failure saves measurement if limit line is
violated
Distance Interval saves measurement after
moving a given distance
Every Sweep saves measurement for each
sweep performed.

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Save on Event Settings
Time Interval specifies the time between
saved measurement (in seconds)

Distance Interval specifies the distance

traveled between saved measurements

Results can be stored either to an SD

card or a USB device

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Capture Settings
The FSH can save different types of information when an event occurs
Screen capture (.jpg or .png)
Dataset (.set) for the sweep containing the event
A entry in a .gpx file

Combinations of these are also possible

Captured data is stored in /Save On Event Results

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Interference Receiver PR100
Preselection
Subdivides the input frequency range into subranges via switches
and filters

Spectrum analyzers :
Do not have preselectors
Measured signal is known and relatively stable
Sum load of all signals is on the input of the first mixer

Monitoring receivers :
Preselection is a must
Frequency range split in sub-ranges
Reduce the signal sum load on the input of the first mixer
Allows monitoring of widely different signals

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Speed vs. accuracy
Biggest difference is speed.

Spectrum analyzers are (relatively) slow, but highly

accurate over a wide frequency range.

Monitoring receivers are less accurate, but are very fast

(real-time) and gap-free. POI within the demodulation
bandwidth is 100%.

Short duration (low POI) signals

Digital data
Frequency hoppers
Radar pulses
Noise sources Reassembly of a frequency-agile signal
Clandestine transmitters

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Monitoring short duration signals

time
time

0.6

0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2

0.0
0.0
30 35 40 45 50
30 35 40 45 50
frequency frequency

Spectrum analyzer Monitoring receiver

(swept / heterodyne principle) (FFT based)

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R&SPR100 family
Polychrome Display Option: R&SPR100-PC & R&SDDF007-PC
What exactly is polychrome spectrum display?
Persistence Histogram (statistical function that uses
several measured levels as basis)
Maxhold Wanted
Processes level-frequency pairs over time Signal

Color indicates relative occupancy over time (How

GSM Signal
often that signal is measured) or signal duration GSM Signal
ClearWrite
(less occurrence)

(more occurrence)
Wanted
What can polychrome spectrum display be used for? WiFi Signal
Pulsed
Resolve pulsed signals that share same frequency Interference

bands and are superimposed in spectral display

Bluetooth
Detection of short duration wideband interference
signals (not possible via MAXHOLD due to
averaging)

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Scanner TSMA/E with Romes
Mobile Locator DDF007
What is Mobile Locator?
Mobile Locator processes DDF007
bearings in real-time using a
sophisticated mathematical algorithm.

Probability clouds and estimated

transmitter location are computed and
displayed on attached control PC.

It is referred to a mobile locator since

the bearings are only processed while
the system is in motion.

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PR100 DF Option
The PR100 DF option allows the PR100 to be used as a DF
receiver when connected to a suitable antenna.
Transition from vehicle to foot now simply a quick change of
antenna cable.
Bearing lines are automatically calculated and displayed on the
PR100 interface.

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System Configuration
ADDx0
7
Three Hardware Components
Control PC RF & Control cable

DDF007
ADDx07

DDF00
7

Control PC

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Ease of deployment

Low profile, weather-proof

Magnetic mounting plate allows
mounting/unmounting in minutes
Mount is stable to at least 80 mph, all
weather conditions.

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