Oak Ridge National Laboratory develops advanced GPS interference detector

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee have developed a new portable device capable of detecting GPS spoofing and jamming, which are increasingly serious threats to navigation systems. This technology aims to provide a more effective defense against malicious interference, with further coverage provided by The Register.

The new device, created by a team led by Austin Albright, can detect both GPS spoofing (the transmission of fake signals) and jamming (the drowning of receivers in noise). Unlike existing systems, it can identify spoofing even when fake and real signals have equal strength. The system operates independently of GPS, utilizing a software-defined radio and an embedded GPU with a novel radio frequency analysis method to distinguish legitimate signals from malicious ones.

While GPS interference has been a significant concern in aviation, ORNL's immediate focus is on protecting commercial trucks. The technology could prevent theft and misdirection of valuable or sensitive shipments, such as the high-profile theft of tequila in 2023, and potentially safeguard cargo ranging from consumer goods to nuclear materials. The team is now working on making the device more affordable to produce.

Source: The Register