U.S. patent application number 15/424435 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for adaptively disrupting unmanned aerial vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is AAI Corporation. Invention is credited to David Barone, Brian Adam Hetsko, Robert Johns, John Bernard Kuhl.
Application Number | 20180227073 15/424435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61224584 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180227073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hetsko; Brian Adam ; et
al. |
August 9, 2018 |
ADAPTIVELY DISRUPTING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
Abstract
A technique for adaptively disrupting UAVs detects a target UAV
using a camera, monitors the target UAV's communications using a
directional antenna aligned with the camera, and attempts to
communicate with the target UAV to request that it land, fly away,
or return to launch. With the camera trained on the UAV, the
directional antenna detects down-link signals from the UAV, which
the UAV may employ to communicate with a ground-based controller.
Control circuitry analyzes the down-link signals and generates a
disrupting signal based thereon. The disrupting signal shares
characteristics with the down-link signal, such as its protocol,
bit rate, and/or packet length. The directional antenna transmits
the disrupting signal back toward the UAV to affect the UAV's
flight.
Inventors: |
Hetsko; Brian Adam;
(Lancaster, PA) ; Kuhl; John Bernard; (New
Freedom, PA) ; Johns; Robert; (Westminster, MD)
; Barone; David; (New Freedom, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AAI Corporation |
Hunt Valley |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61224584 |
Appl. No.: |
15/424435 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04K 3/44 20130101; H04K
3/92 20130101; G01S 19/215 20130101; H04K 3/45 20130101; H04K
2203/22 20130101; H04K 3/94 20130101; G08G 5/0026 20130101; B64C
2201/12 20130101; G08G 5/0082 20130101; H04L 67/125 20130101; B64D
45/0031 20190801; F41H 13/0075 20130101; H04K 3/90 20130101; B64C
39/024 20130101; G08G 5/0013 20130101; H04K 3/65 20130101; G08G
5/0069 20130101; F41H 11/02 20130101; H04K 3/62 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04K 3/00 20060101
H04K003/00; G08G 5/00 20060101 G08G005/00; G01S 19/21 20060101
G01S019/21; G05D 1/00 20060101 G05D001/00; B64C 39/02 20060101
B64C039/02 |
Claims
1. A method for disrupting operation of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles), using a system that includes: a pointing stage; a camera
attached to the pointing stage, the camera having an optical axis;
a set of directional antennas attached to the pointing stage and
aligned with the optical axis of the camera; RF (Radio Frequency)
electronics, coupled to the set of directional antennas; and
control circuitry, coupled to the pointing stage, the camera, and
the set of directional antennas via the RF circuitry, the method
comprising: identifying a target UAV based upon image data acquired
from the camera; with the set of directional antennas oriented
toward the target UAV, detecting a set of down-link signals from
the target UAV via the set of directional antennas; analyzing the
set of down-link signals; generating a disrupting signal based on
analyzing the set of down-link signals, the disrupting signal
including a pattern that shares a characteristic with the set of
down-link signals; and transmitting the disrupting signal toward
the target UAV via the set of directional antennas.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises,
after transmitting the disrupting signal toward the target UAV:
while continuing to monitor the target UAV, detecting that the
target UAV has not responded to the disrupting signal by changing
course or adapting its down-link signals; generating additional
disrupting signals that differ from the disrupting signal; and
transmitting the additional disrupting signals toward the target
UAV via the set of directional antennas.
3. A method as in claim 2, wherein analyzing the set of down-link
signals includes: performing at least one of (i) a time-domain
analysis and (ii) a spectral analysis on the set of down-link
signals; and identifying, as characteristics of the set of
down-link signals, a modulation modality and a bit rate of the set
of down-link signals; wherein generating the disrupting signal
includes producing, as part of the disrupting signal, a bit stream
having a generated bit rate equal to the identified bit rate, and
wherein transmitting the disrupting signal toward the target UAV is
performed in accordance with the identified modulation
modality.
4. A method as in claim 3, wherein analyzing the set of down-link
signals includes identifying, based on the modulation modality and
the data rate, a particular type of UAV from a set of known UAV
types, and wherein producing the bit stream includes providing,
within the bit stream, a set of flight control commands belonging
to a command set of the particular type of UAV for altering a
flight path of the particular type of UAV.
5. A method as in claim 3, wherein analyzing the down-link signals
further includes: demodulating the set of down-link signals in
accordance with the identified modulation modality; and measuring a
packet length of packets in the demodulated set of down-link
signals, the packet length describing a number of bits in the
packets of the set of demodulated down-link signals, wherein
producing the bit stream includes providing, as part of the bit
stream, multiple packets, each packet having a length equal to the
measured packet length.
6. A method as in claim 3, wherein analyzing the down-link signals
further includes detecting, based on the set of down-link signals,
a communication protocol used by the target UAV, wherein producing
the bit stream includes providing, as part of the bit stream, a set
of the control commands for the particular type of UAV that direct
a UAV of that particular type to alter its flight path, and wherein
transmitting the disrupting signal toward the target UAV is
performed in accordance with detected communication protocol of the
target UAV.
7. A method as in claim 6, further comprising, after transmitting
the disrupting signal: in response to detecting that the target UAV
has not responded to the disrupting signal while continuing to
monitor the target UAV, transmitting multiple disrupting signals to
the target UAV in succession to deploy a denial of service (DoS)
intervention directed to the target UAV.
8. A method as in claim 7, further comprising, after deploying the
DoS intervention: in response to detecting that the target UAV has
not responded to the DoS intervention while continuing to monitor
the target UAV, deploying an energy-based intervention by
transmitting a signal of band-limited RF energy toward the target
UAV via the set of directional antennas.
9. A method as in 8, further comprising, after deploying the
energy-based intervention: in response to detecting that the target
UAV has not responded to the energy-based intervention while
continuing to monitor the target UAV, deploying a Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) intervention by transmitting a set of
GPS signals toward the target UAV via the set of directional
antennas.
10. An apparatus for disrupting operation of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles), the apparatus comprising: a pointing stage; a camera
attached to the pointing stage, the camera having an optical axis;
a set of directional antennas attached to the pointing stage and
aligned with the optical axis of the camera; RF circuitry, coupled
to the set of directional antennas; and control circuitry, coupled
to the pointing stage, the camera, and the set of directional
antennas via the RF circuitry, the control circuitry constructed
and arranged to: identify a target UAV based upon image data
acquired from the camera; with the set of directional antennas
oriented toward the target UAV, detect a set of down-link signals
from the target UAV via the set of directional antennas; analyze
the set of down-link signals; generate a disrupting signal based on
analyzing the set of down-link signals, the disrupting signal
including a pattern that shares a characteristic with the set of
down-link signals; and transmit the disrupting signal toward the
UAV via the set of directional antennas.
11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the control circuitry,
constructed and arranged to analyze the down-link signals, is
further constructed and arranged to: demodulate the set of
down-link signals in accordance with the identified modulation
modality; measure a packet length of packets in the demodulated set
of down-link signals, the packet length describing a number of bits
in the packets in the set of demodulated down-link signals, and
wherein the control circuitry, constructed and arranged to produce
the bit stream, is further constructed and arranged to provide
multiple packets within the bit stream, each packet having a length
equal to the measured packet length.
12. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the control circuitry,
constructed and arranged to analyze the down-link signals, is
further constructed and arranged to: detect, based on an analysis
of the set of down-link signals, a communication protocol used by
the target UAV; and identify (i) a particular type of UAV, from
among multiple known types of UAVs, that uses the detected
communication protocol and (ii) multiple control commands for
operating that particular type of UAV, wherein the control
circuitry, constructed and arranged to generate the disrupting
signal, is further constructed and arranged to provide, as part of
the disrupting signal, a set of the control commands for the
particular type of UAV that direct a UAV of that particular type to
alter its flight path, and wherein the control circuitry is
constructed and arranged to transmit the disrupting signal toward
the target UAV in accordance with detected communication protocol
of the target UAV.
13. A computer program product including a set of non-transitory,
computer-readable media having instructions which, when executed by
control circuitry, cause the control circuitry to perform a method
of disrupting operation of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), the
method comprising: identifying a target UAV based upon image data
acquired from a camera; detecting a set of down-link signals from
the target UAV via a set of directional antennas oriented toward
the target UAV and aligned with the camera; analyzing the set of
down-link signals; generating a disrupting signal based on
analyzing the set of down-link signals, the disrupting signal
including a pattern that shares a characteristic with the set of
down-link signals; and transmitting the disrupting signal toward
the target UAV via the set of directional antennas.
14. A computer program product as in claim 13, wherein the method
further comprises, after transmitting the disrupting signal toward
the target UAV: while continuing to monitor the target UAV,
detecting that the target UAV has not responded to the disrupting
signal by changing course or adapting its down-link signals;
generating additional disrupting signals that differ from the
disrupting signal; and transmitting the additional disrupting
signals toward the target UAV via the set of directional
antennas.
15. A computer program product as in claim 14, wherein analyzing
the set of down-link signals includes: performing, on the set of
down-link signals from the target UAV, at least one of: (i) a
time-domain analysis and (ii) a spectral analysis; and identifying,
as characteristics of the set of down-link signals, a modulation
modality and a bit rate of the set of down-link signals, wherein
generating the disrupting signal based on the analysis of the
received set of down-link signals includes producing, as part of
the disrupting signal, a bit stream having a generated bit rate
equal to the identified bit rate, and wherein transmitting the
disrupting signal toward the target UAV is performed in accordance
with the identified modulation modality.
16. A computer program product as in claim 15, wherein analyzing
the down-link signals includes: demodulating the set of down-link
signals in accordance with the identified modulation modality; and
measuring a packet length of packets in the demodulated set of
down-link signals, the packet length describing a number of bits in
the packets in the set of demodulated down-link signals, and
wherein producing the bit stream includes providing multiple
packets within the bit stream, each packet having a length equal to
the measured packet length.
17. A computer program product as in claim 15, wherein analyzing
the down-link signals further includes: detecting a communication
protocol used by the target UAV; and identifying (i) a particular
type of UAV, from among multiple known types of UAVs, that uses the
detected communication protocol and (ii) multiple control commands
for operating that particular type of UAV, wherein generating the
disrupting signal further includes providing, as part of the
disrupting signal, a set of the control commands for the particular
type of UAV that direct a UAV of that particular type to alter its
flight path, and wherein transmitting the disrupting signal toward
the target UAV is performed in accordance with detected
communication protocol of the target UAV.
18. A computer program product as in claim 17, wherein the method
further comprises, after transmitting the disrupting signal: in
response to detecting that the target UAV has not responded to the
disrupting signal while continuing to monitor the target UAV,
transmitting multiple disrupting signals to the target UAV in
succession to deploy a denial of service (DoS) intervention
directed to the target UAV.
19. A computer program product as in claim 18, wherein the method
further comprises, after deploying the DoS intervention, in
response to detecting that the target UAV has not responded to the
DoS intervention while continuing to monitor the target UAV,
deploying an energy-based intervention by transmitting a signal of
band-limited RF energy toward the target UAV via the set of
directional antennas.
20. A computer program product as in 19, wherein the method further
comprises, after deploying the energy-based intervention, in
response to detecting that the target UAV has not responded to the
energy-based intervention while continuing to monitor the target
UAV, deploying a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) intervention by
transmitting a set of GPS signals toward the target UAV via the set
of directional antennas.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have many advantages and
beneficial uses. Because UAVs do not require human pilots, they can
be smaller, more maneuverable, and stealthier than piloted
aircraft. UAVs can also operate in dangerous areas without risking
injury to human pilots. However, government and law-enforcement
entities may wish to restrict UAV operation around sensitive
facilities and other areas due to safety, security, or privacy
concerns.
[0002] Sometimes, measures are taken in restricted areas to detect
and disable UAVs. Conventional approaches for detecting UAVs may
employ human spotters, radar, or acoustic monitoring, for example.
Conventional approaches for disabling UAVs may include capturing
UAVs (in a net, for instance) or interfering with the UAV's
communications. For example, one may interfere with a UAV by
jamming the UAV's radio-frequency (RF) communications with a
ground-based controller or by jamming global positioning system
(GPS) signals that the UAV may require to navigate.
SUMMARY
[0003] Unfortunately, prior approaches for detecting and disabling
UAVs have shortcomings. For instance, radar may be unable to detect
small UAVs or to distinguish them from birds and other small
objects. Acoustic detection may fail in noisy environments and in
environments with buildings or other structures, which can block
and reflect sound waves. Nets may be unsafe or impractical in
public or populated areas. Jamming communications may interfere
indiscriminately with nearby equipment, and GPS interventions may
have undesirable effects on devices on which people rely.
[0004] In contrast with prior approaches, which can be ineffective
and/or dangerous, an improved technique for disrupting UAVs detects
a target UAV using a camera, monitors the target UAV's
communications using a directional antenna aligned with the camera,
and transmits signals to the target UAV to control its flight. With
the camera trained on the UAV, the directional antenna receives
down-link signals from the UAV, which the UAV may employ to
communicate with a ground-based controller. Control circuitry
processes the down-link signals and generates a disrupting signal
based thereon. The disrupting signal shares characteristics with
the down-link signals. For example, the disrupting signal may match
the down-link signals in their protocol, bit rate, and/or packet
length. In some cases, the disrupting signal conveys commands in
the UAV's native protocol. The directional antenna transmits the
disrupting signal back toward the UAV. Depending on whether initial
attempts to disrupt the UAV succeed or fail, the technique may
continue to monitor, process, and transmit disrupting signals to
the UAV to direct the UAV to land or fly away. If communication
fails to disable the UAV, an escalating progression of alternative
methods may be employed to disrupt the UAV's flight.
[0005] One such intervention is to send large amounts of data to
the UAV in a protocol that the UAV employs. These "denial-of
service" interventions may overwhelm the UAV and render it unable
to receive or process valid navigation commands, such that the UAV
flies away or returns to its launch location.
[0006] Another intervention is to jam RF communications of the UAV,
rendering it unable to receive navigation commands from the
ground-based controller.
[0007] Yet another intervention is to jam GPS signals or to send
inaccurate GPS signals to the UAV.
[0008] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the improved
technique has many advantages over prior approaches. For instance,
communicating directly with a UAV and controlling it means that it
may be possible to land or redirect the UAV safely, without placing
people or property at risk. Even if direct control over the UAV
cannot be achieved, a denial-of-service intervention can disrupt
the UAV's flight without requiring high levels of power. The use of
the directional antenna minimizes risk of unintentional
interference with devices and equipment.
[0009] Various state and federal laws may limit activities for
disrupting or otherwise interfering with UAVs. Embodiments hereof
are therefore intended for use in areas where such activities are
permitted by law and/or where they are authorized by applicable
government or law enforcement entities.
[0010] Certain embodiments are directed to a method for disrupting
operation of UAVs. The method uses a system that includes a
pointing stage and a camera attached to the pointing stage, the
camera having an optical axis. The system further includes a set of
directional antennas attached to the pointing stage and aligned
with the optical axis of the camera, and control circuitry, coupled
to the pointing stage, the camera, and the set of directional
antennas via RF circuitry. The method includes identifying a target
UAV based upon image data acquired from the camera. With the set of
directional antennas oriented toward the target UAV, the method
includes detecting a set of down-link signals from the target UAV
via the set of directional antennas. The method further includes
analyzing the set of down-link signals and generating a disrupting
signal based on the received set of down-link signals. The
disrupting signal includes a pattern that shares a characteristic
with the set of down-link signals. The method still further
includes transmitting the disrupting signal toward the target UAV
via the set of directional antennas.
[0011] Other embodiments are directed to an apparatus constructed
and arranged to perform a method of disrupting UAVs, such as the
method described above. Still other embodiments are directed to a
computer program product. The computer program product stores
instructions which, when executed on control circuitry, cause the
control circuitry to perform a method of disrupting operation of
UAVs, such as the method described above.
[0012] The foregoing summary is presented for illustrative purposes
to assist the reader in readily grasping example features presented
herein; however, the foregoing summary is not intended to set forth
required elements or to limit embodiments hereof in any way. One
should appreciate that the above-described features can be combined
in any manner that makes technological sense, and that all such
combinations are intended to be disclosed herein, regardless of
whether such combinations are identified explicitly or not.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be
apparent from the following description of particular embodiments
of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts
throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to
scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the
principles of various embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example environment in
which embodiments of the improved technique hereof can be
practiced.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of the
system and certain components thereof.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of additional components and
subcomponents of the example embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of example method that may be carried
out by an embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another example method that may be
carried out by an embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of yet another example method that may
be carried out by an embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described. It
should be appreciated that such embodiments are provided by way of
example to illustrate certain features and principles of the
invention but that the invention hereof is not limited to the
particular embodiments described.
[0021] An improved technique for disrupting UAVs receives down-link
signals from a UAV, processes the down-link signals, and generates
a disrupting signal based thereon, which share characteristics with
the down-link signals. Disrupting signals are transmitted back
toward the UAV to disrupt the UAV's flight.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an example environment 100 in which embodiments
of the improved technique hereof can be practiced. Here, a UAV DDS
(Detection and Disruption System) 102 is seen to include a pointing
stage 110, which has a base 112, a panning stage 114, and a tilting
stage 116. The tilting stage 116 is mounted to the panning stage
114, which is attached to the base 112. A camera 120 and a
directional antenna 122 are attached to the tilting stage 116.
Arrow 130 indicates a direction of rotation of the panning stage
114 in azimuth, relative to the base 112, and arrow 132 indicates a
direction of rotation of the tilting stage 116 in altitude,
relative to the panning stage 114. One should appreciate that the
pointing stage 110 may be constructed in a variety of ways and that
the particular example shown is merely illustrative.
[0023] The UAV DDS 102 further includes control circuitry 118 and
RF circuitry 119. Such circuitry 118 and 119 may be disposed within
the pointing stage 110 (as shown) or elsewhere, such as in a
separate control box connected to the pointing stage 110. As will
be described, the control circuitry 118 includes computerized
hardware and software. The RF circuitry 119 includes, for example,
RF switches, filters, amplifiers, and impedance-matching networks.
These elements enable the control circuitry 118 to transmit and
receive RF signals using the directional antenna 122. Although not
specifically shown, the pointing stage 110 may also include motors,
coupled to the control circuitry 118, for actuating rotation in
directions 130 and 132, as well as optical encoders, for measuring
angles of rotation in directions 130 and 132 and for providing such
measurements to the control circuitry 118.
[0024] In an example, the camera 120 is an infrared camera
configured to image infrared wavelengths. The camera may be
configured to image particular portions of the infrared spectrum,
such as mid-wave infrared or long-wave infrared, as dictated by
particular use cases. For instance, various wavelengths may be
better at resolving smaller objects or penetrating dense airborne
particulates. The camera 120 preferably has zoom capability and
operates in response to commands from the control circuitry 118 to
generate digital images, which the camera 120 provides to the
control circuitry 118 for analysis. In some cases, the camera 120
is implemented with multiple cameras. For example, different
cameras may provide different magnification levels, frequency
responses, and so forth.
[0025] The directional antenna 122 may be provided as a single
broadband antenna, such as a horn antenna. Alternatively, the
directional antenna 122 may be provided as a composite antenna
containing multiple switchable antenna elements. As yet another
alternative, the directional antenna 122 may be provided as
multiple discrete antennas that operate over respective frequency
ranges.
[0026] The directional antenna 122 (or antennas) is aligned with
the camera 120. For example, the camera 120 has an optical axis
120a and the directional antenna 122 has an axis 122a of maximal
power (transmission and/or reception). The axes 120a and 122a point
in the same direction, such that the center of the camera's field
of view corresponds to a point in space where the power to and/or
from the antenna 122 is maximal. In some examples, the
directionality of the antenna 122 may be accomplished electrically,
e.g., by means of an electrically-steered phased array.
[0027] In example operation, the DDS 102 is positioned in a
restricted area, such as a government facility. The DDS 102 scans
its surroundings for suspect objects, e.g., targets that look like
UAVs. In a particular example, the DDS 102 is configured
specifically to detect so-called "micro UAVs," or ".mu.UAVs," which
are small units generally less than a meter across. These include,
for example, commercially available quadcopters and other small
flying devices. The DDS 102 may scan the sky in its environment
according to some predetermined pattern, such as a spiral pattern
that spins in the azimuth direction 130 and increments position in
the altitude direction 132. The control circuitry 118 receives
optical images from the camera 120 and performs image processing to
identify suspect targets.
[0028] In an example, the camera 120 is set to an initial
magnification that enables the camera to image a large field of
view while still providing enough resolution to identify objects at
least the size of .mu.UAVs at a distance of two hundred meters or
more. Upon identification of a suspect object, e.g., one that is
surrounded by sky and is moving toward the DDS 102, the control
circuitry 118 directs the camera 120 to zoom in on the suspect
object for a closer view. Consistent with the Johnson Criteria for
image recognition, the DDS 102 acquires an image of the suspect
object containing at least nine pixels. The control circuitry 118
compares a zoomed image of the target with a library of known UAV
shapes. If the control circuitry 118 matches the target image to a
known type of UAV, the control circuitry may confirm identification
and commence activities to disrupt the UAV.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows an example target UAV 150 operating over a
flight path 162. Once identification is confirmed, the DDS 102
keeps the camera 120 trained on the target UAV 150. For example,
the control circuitry 118 adjusts the pointing stage 110 in
altitude and/or azimuth to keep the target UAV 150 approximately
centered within the field of view of the camera 120. While pointing
to the target UAV 150, the DDS 102 acquires and processes input
from the antenna 122. For example, the control circuitry 118
attempts to detect a down-link signal 160 from the target UAV 150.
The down-link signal 160 is a signal that the target UAV 150
transmits to a ground-based controller, which may be operated by a
human or a machine.
[0030] In an example, the DDS 102 detects a down-link signal when
RF power received by the directional antenna 122 pointed at the
target UAV 150 exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as a
multiple of a noise floor of input from the directional antenna
122. In some examples, the UAV DDS 102 may further confirm
detection by moving the pointing stage 110 slightly off-axis from
the target UAV and measuring a reduction in signal strength.
[0031] Once the DDS 102 detects a down-link signal 160, the control
circuitry 118 analyzes the down-link signal 160, e.g., using
spectral analysis, time-domain analysis, and/or other techniques,
and characterizes the down-link signal 160. For example, the
control circuitry 118 may detect a communication protocol used by
the target UAV 150, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. Protocol detection
may include identifying a modulation modality of the down-link
signal 160, such as Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK), Phase-Shift
Keying (PSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), and so forth.
In some examples, detection of modulation modality is separate from
detection of protocol. The control circuitry 118 may also detect
bit rate of data transmission, packet length, encoding (e.g.,
error-correction coding) and other characteristics of the down-link
signals 160. As is known, "packet length" corresponds to a number
of bits in each packet of the down-link signals 160. Once the
control circuitry 118 has identified the modulation modality of the
down-link signals 160, the control circuitry 118 may further
identify the packet length by demodulating the down-link signals
160 and performing a time-domain analysis on the demodulated
results.
[0032] With characteristics of the down-link signal 160 obtained,
the DDS 102 proceeds to generate a disrupting signal 140. The
control circuitry 118 generates the disrupting signal 140 based on
the down-link signal 160, such that the disrupting signal 140
shares one or more characteristics with the down-link signal 160,
such as modulation modality, bit rate, packet length, encoding, and
the like. The control circuitry 118 then directs the directional
antenna 122 to transmit the disrupting signal 140 back to the
target UAV 150. For example, the DDS 102 continues to track the UAV
150 along its flight path 162 such that the directional antenna 122
is still aimed at the UAV 150 when the disrupting signal 140 is
sent.
[0033] In some examples, the DDS 102 may identify a particular type
of the target UAV 150 based on the obtained characteristics of the
down-link signal 160. For example, the DDS 102 may maintain a
database of known UAV types and may match the target UAV 150 to one
of the known types based on the obtained characteristics. The DDS
102 may then attempt to communicate with the target UAV 150, e.g.,
by impersonating a ground-based controller and sending commands to
the target UAV 150 in the protocol of the matching UAV type. In an
example, the commands may direct the target UAV to land, fly away,
or return to its launch location.
[0034] If no match is found to a known UAV type, the DDS 102 may
still attempt to communicate with the target UAV 150, e.g., by
sending a disrupting signal 140 that has one or more
characteristics in common with the down-link signal 160 but that
has other characteristics that are different. For example, if the
DDS 102 detects a certain bit pattern repeated in the down-link
signal 160 (or across multiple such signals), the DDS 102 may
construct the disrupting signal 140 to have a bit pattern that
slightly differs from the repeating pattern that was received, the
intended effect being to confuse the target UAV 150 such that it
departs from its flight plan and/or lands. In some examples, the
DDS 102 may use disrupting signals 140 to probe the target UAV 150
and record its responses, adapting disrupting signals 140 as it
detects new features in subsequent down-link signals 160.
[0035] After each attempt to disrupt operation of the target UAV
150, The DDS 102 may use the image data acquired from the camera
120 and/or subsequently-received down-link signals 160 to ascertain
whether operation of the target UAV 150 has been successfully
disrupted. For example, the DDS 102 may ascertain from the image
data that the target UAV 150 has begun to depart from its flight
path 162, in a direction away from the restricted area. Also, the
DDS 102 may ascertain from the subsequent down-link signals 160
that the UAV 150 is transmitting responses consistent with a
successful intervention.
[0036] If communicating with the target UAV 150 fails to disrupt
its operation, the DDS 102 may escalate to a denial of service
(DoS) intervention. In a DoS intervention, the DDS 102 sends
multiple disrupting signals 140 in quick succession. Each
disrupting signal 140 may have a modulation modality and/or a bit
rate that matches that of the down-link signal 160, but each
disrupting signal 140 need not include any clear command or
instruction. Rather, the purpose of the disrupting signals 140 in a
DoS intervention is to consume computing resources of the target
UAV 150, so that it becomes difficult for the target UAV 150 to
receive and respond to commands from its ground-based controller.
For example, the disrupting signals 140 may flood a particular
communication channel of the UAV 150 with a very large number of
commands. If the UAV 150 is unable to receive and process such
commands, the UAV 150 may simply land, fly away, or return to its
launch location.
[0037] If even the DoS intervention fails, the DDS 102 may escalate
further to an energy-based intervention. The energy-based
intervention uses the directional antenna 122 still trained on the
target UAV 150 to beam a high-powered, band-limited signal at the
target UAV 150. The antenna 122 transmits the high-powered signal
in a frequency range that the target UAV 150 uses to communicate.
This frequency range may be the same as a frequency range of the
down-link signals 160 or may be provided in a related frequency
range, e.g., over a different channel that the target UAV is
configured to use.
[0038] The power level of the high-powered signal is arranged to
jam and overwhelm a receiver in the target UAV 150. For example,
the high-powered signal uses random or pseudo-random, band-limited
RF energy, transmitted at a power level that renders a receiver on
the target UAV unable to discern command and control information
from its ground-control forward link. An intended effect of the
high-powered signal is to render the target UAV 150 without control
input, such that it may land, fly away, or return to its launch
location.
[0039] If all else fails, the DDS 102 may initiate a GPS (Global
Positioning Satellite) intervention. The GPS intervention may
transmit sufficiently high energy in a GPS frequency band, or bogus
GPS signals, to confuse the target UAV 150 and force it to land or
deviate from its current course.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 showing various components of
the DDS 102 in further detail. In the example shown, the control
circuitry 118 includes a set of processors 210 (i.e., one or more
processing chips and/or assemblies), memory 220, and an SDR
(Software-Defined Radio) device 230. The memory 220 may include
both volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatile memory, such as
one or more disk drives, solid state drives, and the like. The set
of processors 210 and the memory 220 are constructed and arranged
to carry out various methods and functions as described herein.
Also, the memory 220 includes a variety of software constructs
realized in the form of executable instructions. When the
executable instructions are run by the set of processors 210, the
set of processors 210 are caused to carry out the operations
specified by the software constructs. Although certain software
constructs are specifically shown and described, it is understood
that the memory 230 typically includes many other software
constructs, which are not shown, such as an operating system and
various applications, processes, daemons, and so forth.
[0041] As further shown in FIG. 2, the memory 220 "includes," i.e.,
realizes using data and by operation of software instructions, a
signal analyzer 222, a disrupting signal generator 224, and a UAV
database 226. In an example, the signal analyzer 222 is configured
to perform spectral analysis, time-domain analysis, and other forms
of analysis on received down-link signals 160. The disrupting
signal generator 224 generates disrupting signals 140 based on the
received down-link signals 160. In some examples, the disrupting
signal generator 224 works in coordination with the SDR 230 and may
include SDR drivers and/or software tools.
[0042] In example operation, the directional antenna 122 receives
down-link signals 160 from the target UAV 150. RF circuitry 119
amplifies, impedance-matches, and/or performs other functions to
render the down-link signals 160 at a power level and bandwidth
suitable for analysis. SDR 230 receives the processed down-link
signals 160, digitizes the signals, and provides the digitized
signals to the analyzer 222, which performs analysis as described
elsewhere herein.
[0043] For outgoing signals, the disrupting signal generator 224
generates digital versions of the disrupting signals 140. The SDR
230 converts the digital versions to analog signals. The RF
circuitry 119 processes the analog signals, and the directional
antenna 122 transmits the processed analog signals as disrupting
signals 140.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows the UAV database 226 in additional detail.
Here, the UAV database 226 is seen to contain UAV records 310,
shown as UAV Record 310(1) through UAV Record 310(N). Each UAV
record 310 stores a respective UAV Type identifier 312,
communication protocol 314, and command set 316, and a command
encoding 318. Each communication protocol 314 and each command set
316 respectively identify a communication protocol and command set
for the respective UAV Type 312. Each communication protocol 314
specifies how the respective UAV type communicates, e.g., using
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., the bit rate it uses (or multiple bit
rates, if more than one applies), the packet length it uses, the
modulation modality, and any other communication characteristics
specific to the respective UAV type 312. The command sets 316
specify known commands for operating UAVs of the specified types
312. These may include an entire command library for particular UAV
types 312, or individual commands for others. The UAV records 310
may also include command encodings 318 which identify encoding
schemes (e.g., parity coding, Hamming coding, etc.) used for
communications with the respective UAV types 312.
[0045] FIGS. 4-6 show example methods that may be carried out in
connection with the environment 100. The methods are typically
performed, for example, by the software constructs described in
connection with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which reside in the memory 220
of the control circuitry 118 and are run by the set of processors
210. The various steps of these methods may be ordered in any
suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which
acts are performed in orders different from those illustrated,
including performing some acts simultaneously.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows an example method 400 for generating a
disrupting signal 140 based on one or more down-link signals 160.
At 410, in the course of receiving down-link signals 160 from the
target UAV 150, the DDS 102 performs an analysis of the down-link
signals 160, including a spectral analysis (i.e., frequency domain)
and/or a time domain analysis. The analysis identifies a modulation
modality used by the target UAV 150. Spectral analysis by itself
may be ineffective for some complex signals. Therefore, the DDS 102
may employ additional techniques, such as matched filtering,
cyclostationary processing, and so forth.
[0047] Performing spectral and/or time-domain analysis of the
down-link signals 160 reveals characteristics of a particular
modulation modality and of the particular bandwidth over which the
modulation modality is operated. For instance, the UAV 150 may
employ various modulation modalities such as Phase-Shift Keying
(PSK), Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK), Amplitude-Shift Keying (ASK),
Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK), Orthogonal Frequency Division
Modulation (OFDM), or others. Once the modulation modality is
identified, the DDS 102 also determines a bit rate at which
information is transmitted by the UAV 150.
[0048] At 420, the system 102 attempts to identify the UAV 150 as a
particular type of UAV based upon the modulation modality it uses
and the bit rate at which it transmits. In an example, the DDS 102
searches entries in the UAV Database 226. In some cases, the DDS
102 finds a communication protocol 314 that matches the identified
modulation modality and bit rate found at step 410. The matching
communication protocol 314 belongs to a UAV record 310, which also
stores a corresponding UAV Type 312, command set 316, and command
encoding 318. In other cases, no match is found in the UAV Database
226 and the DDS 102 may instead probe the UAV 150 for other means
of disrupting the UAV's operation.
[0049] At 430, having identified the modulation modality, the
system 102 demodulates the down-link signals 160. The DDS 102 then
analyzes the demodulated down-link signals 160 in the time domain
and measures the length (e.g., in bits) of packets in the down-link
signal 160.
[0050] At 440, the DDS 102 generates the disrupting signal 140. The
disrupting signal 140 is constructed to contain packets having the
same length as those found in the down-link signals 160. If the DDS
102 was able to match the UAV 150 to an entry in the UAV database
226, then the DDS 102 may construct the disrupting signal 140 to
contain instructions which cause the UAV 150 to land or fly away.
Otherwise, the DDS 102 constructs the disrupting signal 140 to
contain packets that match the general structure of packets
received from the target UAV 150.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows an example method 500 for escalating
interventions on the target UAV 150. At 510, the DDS 102 attempts a
communication intervention against the target UAV 150. Such an
intervention may involve communicating with the target UAV 150
using its own communication and command protocols, such as those
found in the entries of the UAV database 226 (communication
protocols 314, command sets 316, and command encodings 318). The
communication intervention may also involve mimicking the target
UAV's communications while changing certain characteristics in an
effort to confuse the target UAV 150.
[0052] At 520, in response to failure of the communication
intervention, the DDS 102 escalates to a denial of service (DoS)
intervention against the target UAV 150 as described
previously.
[0053] At 530, in response to failure of both the communication
intervention and the DoS intervention, the DDS 102 escalates to an
energy-based intervention against the target UAV 150, which
attempts to disrupt the UAV's ability to receive instructions from
a remote controller.
[0054] At 540, in response to failure of the communication
intervention, the DoS intervention, and the energy-based
intervention, the system escalates to a GPS intervention against
the target UAV 150, which attempts to disrupt the UAV's ability to
receive GPS information about its location. In some examples, the
GPS intervention involves transmitting high-powered signals at GPS
frequencies, to effectively jam a GPS receiver on the target UAV
150. In other examples, the GPS intervention may involve
transmitting simulated GPS signals conveying inaccurate location
information to the target UAV 150.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows an example method 600 for disrupting operation
of UAVs. At 610, the DDS 102 identifies a target UAV 150 based upon
image data acquired from the camera 120. In some examples, the
control circuitry 118 may identify the target UAV 150 by analyzing
a set of image data from the camera 120 and automatically
detecting, as a potential target UAV 150, a moving object. The DDS
102 may perform additional processing to determine that moving
object is a UAV and not another type of object, such as a bird.
[0056] At 620, the DDS 102 detects a set of one or more down-link
signals 160 from the UAV 150 via the directional antenna 122. As
the camera 120 is already trained on the target UAV 150 and the
directional antenna 122 is aligned with the camera 120, the
directional antenna 122 is also pointing toward the target UAV
150.
[0057] At 630 the DDS 102 analyzes the down-link signals detected
at 620 to identify its characteristics, such as modulation
modality, bit rate, encoding, and so forth.
[0058] At 640, the DDS 102 generates a disrupting signal 140 based
on analyzing the down-link signals 160. The disrupting signal 140
includes a pattern that shares at least one characteristic with the
set of down-link signals 160. Non-limiting example characteristics
include a carrier frequency, a set of frequency bands, a modulation
modality, a bit rate, and/or a packet length.
[0059] At 650, the DDS 102 transmits the disrupting signal 140
toward the target UAV 160 via the directional antenna 122 (or set
of directional antennas, as discussed above).
[0060] Having described certain embodiments, numerous alternative
embodiments or variations can be made. Further, although features
are shown and described with reference to particular embodiments
hereof, such features may be included and hereby are included in
any of the disclosed embodiments and their variants. Thus, it is
understood that features disclosed in connection with any
embodiment are included as variants of any other embodiment.
[0061] Further still, the improvement or portions thereof may be
embodied as a computer program product including one or more
non-transient, computer-readable storage media, such as a magnetic
disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical disk, flash drive,
solid state drive, SD (Secure Digital) chip or device, Application
Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA), and/or the like (shown by way of example as medium 450 in
FIGS. 4-6). Any number of computer-readable media may be used. The
media may be encoded with instructions which, when executed on one
or more computers or other processors, perform the process or
processes described herein. Such media may be considered articles
of manufacture or machines, and may be transportable from one
machine to another.
[0062] As used throughout this document, the words "comprising,"
"including," "containing," and "having" are intended to set forth
certain items, steps, elements, or aspects of something in an
open-ended fashion. Also, as used herein and unless a specific
statement is made to the contrary, the word "set" means one or more
of something. This is the case regardless of whether the phrase
"set of" is followed by a singular or plural object and regardless
of whether it is conjugated with a singular or plural verb.
Further, although ordinal expressions, such as "first," "second,"
"third," and so on, may be used as adjectives herein, such ordinal
expressions are used for identification purposes and, unless
specifically indicated, are not intended to imply any ordering or
sequence. Thus, for example, a "second" event may take place before
or after a "first event," or even if no first event ever occurs. In
addition, an identification herein of a particular element,
feature, or act as being a "first" such element, feature, or act
should not be construed as requiring that there must also be a
"second" or other such element, feature or act. Rather, the "first"
item may be the only one. Although certain embodiments are
disclosed herein, it is understood that these are provided by way
of example only and that the invention is not limited to these
particular embodiments.
[0063] Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that
various changes in form and detail may be made to the embodiments
disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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