GPS threats are increasing at a record rate

Rising global conflicts are threatening the reliability of GPS systems, as a wave of interference attacks continues to disrupt extensive regions in Europe and the Middle East, causing significant challenges for civilians. At the same time, there is an increasing use of jammers by criminals involved in drug trafficking, cargo theft, and other illegal activities in North America. In recent years, sporadic incidents of GPS jamming and spoofing have led to disruptions at key American airports. Moreover, everyday citizens in the United States are beginning to buy low-cost retail jammers, influenced by privacy anxieties and the dissemination of anti-government conspiracy theories.

Over the years, security analysts have persistently warned about the potential for targeted assaults on GPS, which could severely impact the financial system, power grid, air traffic operations, and emergency services. While there is an increasing push for the creation of backup systems for GPS, it is crucial to recognize that another important issue also demands attention.

It is imperative for the United States to develop an automated national detection system that can swiftly identify GPS interference at the moment it occurs and provide reliable real-time mapping of the affected regions.

The failure to implement a unified, real-time, high-precision jamming and spoofing detection system constitutes a major flaw in our satellite navigation capabilities, putting American government, commercial, and emergency operations at risk within their own borders.

Tracking emitters

Locating the true source of an interference attack, referred to as the emitter, is crucial for initiating rapid and effective countermeasures, including the shutdown of the jammer to reestablish navigation services.

Discovering the emitter contributes to clarifying the exact site of the interference, highlighting where it may exert the greatest influence and identifying the assets that are most susceptible.

Yet, the precise localization of emitters through conventional ground-based sensors is often fraught with challenges. A key difficulty lies in the fact that jammers typically use low-power signals, making them less detectable from a distance and prone to reflection off various objects such as buildings, automobiles, and trees. The frequent relocation of mobile jammers also complicates tracking efforts. Additionally, advanced jammers may utilize countermeasures like omnidirectional antennas and frequency hopping, which significantly hinder triangulation processes.

The introduction of a smartphone-driven detection system would substantially increase the number of sensors dedicated to tracking the emitter. A dense network of detection points would allow for the swift and precise detection, validation, and consolidation of information related to signal location in real time, even if the emitter shifts its position. Evidence has shown that extensive mobile device networks can provide real-time ionosphere monitoring, which contributes to improved positioning accuracy.