Radio Frequency Emitter Detection and Tracking via Passive and Active Techniques

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks a highly motivated, well informed, cross-disciplinary and skilled graduate student with experience in digital signal processing (DSP), radio frequency (RF) signal processing, RF waveform design and characterization, and electromagnetic spectrum sensing. This opportunity will involve the design, simulation, and validation of DSP algorithms via Matlab and Python and the integration of the algorithms into existing RF data capture systems. The algorithm development will include signal processing for detection of RF signals, various forms of geolocation via multiple data collection nodes, and signal feature extraction. The opportunity will also involve the collection of RF data with preexisting systems, post-processing this data for algorithm validation and potential real-time implementation of these algorithms. Part of the position will be to learn to use the preexisting radar and RF sensing system to collect data and conduct real-time experiments. This system is based on Xillinx RF system-on-a-chip (RFSoC) technology and has both web based and SSH interfaces. The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army. Scientists and Engineers at the CCDC Army Research Laboratory help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs. This fellowship opportunity focuses on novel approaches to sensing and operating across the entire electromagnetic (EM) environment, counter-sensing across the EM spectrum, protection from EM effects, and emerging concepts for RF, radars, and electronic warfare (EW).