Disruptive by Design: A Signal Protection Plan to Raise the Noise Floor
August 1, 2020
By Maj. Ryan Kenny, USA
A recent posting of a satellite image from the U.S. National Training Center by Col. Scott Woodward, USA, raised a lot of eyebrows. The image shows a cluster of electromagnetic signals emitted from a battalion-sized unit participating in a large-scale training event. These signals were captured as part of the exercise from more than 10 kilometers away. This picture showed what many of us already know: we have an electromagnetic emission discipline problem.
Because we did not fear large-scale attacks on known command posts in Afghanistan and Iraq, we did not worry about blaring electromagnetic signals from satellite terminals, tactical radios or the dozens of locally purchased cellphones our forces used. Nor did we worry about an adversary using unmanned aerial vehicles to deploy sensors from afar. However, times have changed. As we prepare for the next fight, we must demand a strategy to protect our forces from signal detection.
Sophisticated long-range sensors paired with powerful new data analytics tools increase the likelihood of long-range detection. Any device that emits electromagnetic energy presents detectable patterns of fluctuations and pulses within a given radio frequency range. Engineers design antennas to propagate radio waves omnidirectionally, or focused into a directional beam. What affords long-range communication also enables long-range detection.
https://www.afcea.org/content/disruptive-design-signal-protection-plan-raise-noise-floor
