Existing jammer detection and localization systems mostly employ ground-based sensor networks. Ground-based systems could suffer from availability and accuracy degradation due to signal blockage or multipath effects by ground obstacles and multipath since the intentional jammers are normally located remotely. To provide high observability over a wide area, a great many ground stations would be required, which cause a great expense for equipment, installation, networking and management. If intentional jammers are placed in unexpected areas out of ground-based sensor coverage or equipped with directional antennas, it will be difficult for the ground systems to detect and localize them rapidly without sensor relocation. The paper proposes a GNSS jammer detection and localization system based on airborne GNSS receiver measurements and ground-airborne communication links, such as ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) or SWIM (System Wide Information Management), which is suitable for rapid detection and localization of arbitrarily distributed intentional high power jammers that aim aircraft. The paper describes the proposed system concept and presents a series of simulation results to assess feasibility under various relevant conditions.

Keywords: jammer, detection, localization, network, airborne