The growing use of wireless technologies is increasing the need for spectrum monitoring application, as is the need to drive down the cost per monitoring station.
Affordable monitoring solutions on display
At the 2018 Association of Old Crows (AOC) symposium in Washington DC this year, Signal Hound and 3dB Labs demonstrated a combined spectrum monitoring solution in each of our booths.
Pairing the SM200A with the SCEPTRE software creates a powerful yet affordable solution for SIGINT (signals intelligence), TSCM (technical surveillance countermeasures),and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) applications. AOC attendees were excited to see such an affordable solution and have the chance to speak with us and technical experts 3dB Labs.
As we’ve touted in the past, the SM200A’s architectural approach provides a level of overall system affordability that breaks through the cost barriers of conventional one-box systems. For remotely deployed scenarios, the lower cost is an enabling factor that makes it possible to put more systems in the field where the cost of standalone analyzers was simply too prohibitive.
A quick intro to SCEPTRE
3db Lab’s SCEPTRE is an ISR collection software suite that can act alone or as a network of receivers to perform rapid signal ID, tip and cue, c-uas, and geolocation. It can also integrate with multiple simultaneous Signal Hound spectrum analyzers on stationary or mobile collection platforms, and provide real-time analysis of COMINT, FISINT, and ELINT signals. SCEPTRE performs real-time bit breakout, data streaming out, antenna position control, and pulse descriptor word creation. The versatile nature of SCEPTRE allows a user to leave it unattended for days with its built-in circular pre-d buffer, an ideal solution for remote access, RF surveys, or post-event analysis.
Combining SCEPTRE with the fast sweep speed and powerful internal hardware of the SM200A produces an RF spectrum monitoring receiver perfect for a deployable remote solution that can run unattended for days, acting alone or as a network of receivers. The $11,900 price point of the SM200A and the similarly-priced SCEPTRE software lowers the total cost of a high-performance signals intelligence system.
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2 Comments
This looks great.
Where is the processing occurring on the SDR or back at he controller with the software?
Thanks
Hi Michael,
Great question! For the SM200 receiver itself, the processing is split between the FPGA on the receiver and the PC. The result of this processing gives the customer either sweeps or I/Q data. That data is then handed off to applications like the SCEPTRE software. All processing for SCEPTRE happens on the PC (at least when using our receiver). SCEPTRE utilizes the CPU and GPU. If you’re interested in the SCEPTRE software, I would reach out to the employees at 3dB labs for more information.
Regards