North American antennas, connectors, and test equipment distributor, Saelig has introduced the AARTOS Drone Detection System, made by Aaronia, an RF spectrum equipment expert. The Drone Detection System can sense airborne drone activity with a virtually unlimited detection range.
The AARTOS DDS monitors the entire frequency spectrum from 100 MHz to 20 GHz over 100 times per second with 360° dome coverage to track airborne activity. The system can be customized depending on the application and situation. It can also be configured as a portable, mobile or a fixed station with an unlimited number of sensors to form a network covering large areas. There are no inherent limitations in terms of altitude and elevation. All systems can be linked to a single monitoring center with remote-control for each individual setup.
The latest AARTOS DDS V6 generation can detect a DJI Phantom 4 FCC drone at 50 km or more, but the specific range depends on factors such as drone type and topography. The AARTOS DDS uses AI techniques to distinguish between drones and other airborne objects, minimizing the likelihood of false alarms. It is an entirely passive system and does not emit any radiation which could interfere with other infrastructure.
Detecting a drone may take the DDS system between 10μs to 500ms, depending on the configuration and the number of IsoLOG 3D DF antenna arrays. A drone even can be detected as soon as its operator establishes a radio link (i.e. the drone and/or the remote control are switched on). The process of pairing, radio link, take-off, and climb usually takes between 30 seconds and five minutes, depending on the drone model (e.g. the DJI Mavic Pro). This allows the AARTOS DDS a unique early-warning capability by detecting the drone even before it can take off. Optical, acoustic, or radar-based drone detection solutions are not able to perform this kind of early-warning detection.
The AARTOS DDS can even detect the drone operator's location. It can track the operator’s movements even if drone and operator are operating at different frequencies or bands. With two systems it is possible to accurately estimate the distance of the drone, and an AARTOS DDS system with two or more antennas can also estimate the drone's altitude.
Traditional RF-based drone detection solutions only monitor specific bands, such as Wi-Fi 2,4/5,8 GHz or ISM 433/868 MHz, where most commercial drones have operated previously. But the latest commercial and custom drones will connect at any (mostly illegal) frequencies. This is why the AARTOS DDS' unique all-band-monitoring receiver and ultra-wide-band tracking antenna work so successfully, sensing the complete frequency range. It can be covered with a camouflage covering without impacting its detection capabilities, unlike optical, acoustic, or radar-based drone detection systems. When mounted on a vehicle, the AARTOS DDS resembles a common TV or satellite antenna.
Key Features of the AARTOS DDS Drone Detection System
- Real-time monitoring to 20 GHz
- Up to 48THz/s sweep speed
- 360° gapless full-dome coverage
- Detects 3G, 4G and 5G drones
- AI multi-target image and RF pattern recognition
- Ultra-high range of up to 50km
- Locates drone swarms and drone operators
- Scalable for huge sites and borders
- Real-time AI monitoring; 3D DF + height
AARTOS DDS drone detection system is made by Aaronia, an RF spectrum equipment expert. It can benefit the automotive and chemical industry, critical infrastructures such as nuclear power plants, correctional facilities, governments, operators of airports, stadiums, and concerts, military branches, security firms as well as private individuals seeking to protect their homes and properties. A system has recently been deployed at London's Heathrow Airport.
