Real time implementation of SDR-based RF source detection and localization in restricted area

Radio frequency (RF) detection and source localization are critical requirements for military and civilian applications. This paper implements a multistep RF detection technique in a software defined radio (SDR) platform that starts by a fast energy detection then go through cyclostationarity feature detection to deal with low level signals. This combination offers range potential to monitor wider area. The system relies on the received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements to estimate the distance between the sensing system and the detected RF source. General-purpose SDR platforms offer more flexibility and cost efficiency, compared to dedicated localization systems. It enables providing an embedded standalone system able to detect RF signals and to estimate the polar coordinates of the transmitter. Through experiments, we prove the validity of the proposed system for real applications. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.