The spectrum anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system is a system that uses radio spectrum technology to detect, identify and counter UAVs. It has the advantages of high sensitivity and fast response, but it also has the disadvantages of being easily disturbed by the environment. The specific analysis is as follows:
Advantages
High sensitivity 1: Spectrum anti-drone systems are typically equipped with highly sensitive receivers and spectrum analyzers, capable of receiving and processing weak radio signals. This is conducive to achieving long-distance detection and high-precision direction finding, allowing the tracking of drones to be detected from a considerable distance.
Wideband coverage 1: This system can cover multiple frequency bands, comprehensively monitor and analyze signals of different frequency bands, and adapt to the distribution of communication and control signals of unmanned aerial vehicles at different frequencies. Whether it is the common 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz frequency bands or some other possible frequency bands, they all have the opportunity to be monitored.
Fast Response 1: It features a fast response mechanism that can monitor and analyze air signals in real time. When the drone enters the monitoring area, the system can quickly detect the signal changes and respond, which is suitable for dealing with emergency situations, such as preventing the sudden intrusion of drones into important events.
Green Safety 1: Spectrum detection equipment is a passive detection device. It does not actively emit electromagnetic signals and has no impact on the surrounding electromagnetic environment. Unlike some devices that actively emit strong electromagnetic signals, it will not interfere with surrounding electronic devices and will not affect human health, etc.
The operator can be located 2: By monitoring and analyzing the communication signals of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the spectrum anti-UAV system can not only detect UAVs but also locate the operator's position using techniques such as triangulation. This helps to address the threat posed by UAVs from the source and facilitates further measures taken by relevant personnel.
Lower cost: Compared with some traditional air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome system specifically designed for intercepting rockets/missiles, the electromagnetic interception cost of the spectrum anti-drone system is lower, which can significantly reduce defense costs and is suitable for large-scale deployment to deal with the threat of drone swarms.
Disadvantage
Susceptible to complex electromagnetic environments 1: In complex electromagnetic environments, such as the reflection of signals by buildings in cities and the presence of various electromagnetic interference sources, the accuracy of system detection can be affected, leading to false alarms or missed alarms. Meanwhile, extreme weather conditions may also have an impact on its performance.
2: If the drone uses encrypted communication or dynamic frequency hopping technology, the spectrum anti-drone system may have difficulty parsing its signal and thus be unable to effectively identify and counter it. For unmanned aerial vehicles that fly autonomously and do not require real-time communication, the system may also be unable to achieve countermeasures by interfering with communication links.
There is a risk of "accidental injury" 2: Due to the overlap of the frequency bands commonly used by drones with those of some civilian wireless devices, when the system interferes with the drones, it may mistakenly interfere with the surrounding legitimate wireless devices, such as causing the nearby Wi-Fi signal to be interrupted or the Bluetooth devices to fail to work properly, affecting normal production, life and communication order.
Limited coverage: The propagation of radio waves is easily affected by obstacles such as terrain and buildings. In environments with dense urban high-rise buildings and mountainous areas, the monitoring and interference range of the system will be significantly reduced, resulting in detection blind spots. It may be impossible to detect or effectively counter drones in these areas in a timely manner.
Rely on signal database: The system needs to constantly update the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication protocol library in order to accurately detect and identify various types of UAVs. If a new type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is encountered or it adopts a new communication protocol, but the system database is not updated in a timely manner, it may lead to an unidentifiable situation, affecting the countermeasure effect.
Technical complexity and high cost: The spectrum anti-drone system relies on advanced digital signal processing algorithms and other technologies. The implementation of the technology is relatively complex, and the requirements for equipment are also high, resulting in high R&D, procurement and maintenance costs. To some extent, this limits its application in some scenarios with limited budgets.