Watchdog HF DF Tactical Spectrum Monitor
- watchdog Features
- Wideband HF DF Array
- Detects ground wave, sky wave and NVIS
- DF every signal 4 times each second
- 8+ channels self-triggered voice/data copy
- TDOA on board
- Fast installation - lightweight
- System hardware mounted in UPS or Fedex shippable Pelican cases
- Rugged, weatherproof package
- Solid State (no moving parts)
- Environmentally tested -20c to +50c with full solar loading
- Solar & battery for 24/7 unattended monitoring
- Low power (COTS radio technologies)
- Low cost (expendable)
- QRC additional sensor integration
- GPS on board
- On-board signal processing/signal formation/reporting
- Terminal access available for tethering - remote commanding of system features
- Robust, easy to use User Interface on ruggedized laptop
- Real time or lookback collection
- Mapping interface
- User, service, setup manuals and CBTs available
Patent 8,373,595
The HF spectrum is a dense and complex signal environment. Knowing what's over the hill, horizon or across the globe influences tactical response and action. Watchdog enables the warfighter and law enforcement to more readily visualize their High Frequency (HF) RF environment and monitor for HF threat emitters.
Costing 1/10th the price of comparable systems, the Watchdog is a lightweight, tactical, low power HF (3-30 MHZ) broadband spectrum monitor and Direction Finding (DF) system. Containing its own signal processor and wireless interface, Watchdog reports all HF signals and associated bearings simultaneously. Additionally, Watchdog records the audio from up to eight radios, automatically tuned by the detection process and user controlled priority settings.
Watchdog is not a single radio or scanner. Watchdog is a patented HF Wideband Spectrum Monitor.
Each Watchdog uses sophisticated digital processing to monitor and locate over 30,000 frequencies, 4-10 times a second over the planet’s surface. Once a signal of interest is found Watchdog uses a narrowband mode to focus the system on a specific emitter. Watchdog captures ground wave, sky wave and NVIS transmissions. In either real time mode or lookback collection, the operator will never miss a signal. Audio recordings, along with DF meta data, is saved for future reference or evidence processing.
Power consumption, cost and RF integration are key. Watchdog is powered by an integrated flexible solar panel and rechargeable battery. The wireless interface uses a long-range antenna that allows the operator to stand off up to 10 miles from the Watchdog sensor, and monitor activity in near real time. The unit provides indefinite 24/7 monitoring, without maintenance. The remote feature allows the Watchdog to be remotely operated or commanded via 802.11, 3-4G, VSat or Tactical Radio.
Widely dispersed Watchdogs can be networked together and with other surveillance systems. The architecture is designed to accept multiple intelligence data sensors with integrated cross-sensor triggering, control, and mapping.
Watchdog provides time-critical information from a configurable network of sensors that can be rapidly deployed. The mission can be extended to DoD and non-DoD applications, including perimeter defense, air and land border monitoring, coastlines (open ocean, over the horizon monitoring), intelligence operations, intrusion pre-detection, and avoidance.
