Since before the end of the Cold War, Global Positioning System (GPS) signal jamming has remained a staple for electronic warfare in the multi-domain battlespace.
GPS jamming as a tactical weapon works hand-in-glove with signals intelligence (SIGINT). An enemy signal is detected and – if using GPS – jammed, stopping voice and data communication. With accurate intelligence and jamming devices, an intended target or force can be delayed or its GPS signals shut down long enough to render it harmless or helpless: a tactic that can also serve as a means for area denial.
There is also another characteristic GPS vulnerability: the unintended jammed signal. This can cause havoc and expose vulnerabilities of friendly forces while trying to debilitate enemy forces. Even unallied geographic neighbours are at risk as signal jammers are often non-specific and cover a wide ‘broadcast’ area. This can cause havoc for blue forces.
No matter if deliberate or not, the prevalence of GPS jamming means there is an increasing requirement for unjammable, secure satellite communications (satcoms) equipment.
Most satcoms terminals depend on GPS signals to function. Fortunately, this is mostly not a problem, but under adversarial conditions it becomes a serious issue.
Using effective equipment independent of GPS is imperative when lives depend on a consistent, continuous communication capability.
Jam proof = extra security
There are technologies available that are broadly immune to jamming. Such GPS-independent devices enable users to manually input geographical co-ordinates and safely connect to a satellite.
This allows satcoms terminals to function as if operating in an undisturbed environment. It will continue to provide the best beam and connectivity for one’s location, increasing the likelihood of dependable comms activity.
A unique benefit of this technology is that it if one, accidentally or not, sets a slightly incorrect position, the GPS-independent device can still function.
While increasing user security, this is how innovators of advanced satcoms terminals can enable users to communicate, despite being in an area under constant jamming – such as a war zone or authoritarian state – with the same simple pointing that satcoms technicians are accustomed to using.
Maximising anonymity
In situations where keeping your position hidden is key, a GPS-independent satcoms terminal lets you add one more layer of security. There are military off-the-shelf (MOTS) satellite modems available that allow users to turn off location sharing from the modem to the satellite network. This discrete operations mode prevents a modem from sending its co-ordinates to the hub side, so the terminal’s exact location remains unknown.
By lowering the discovery risk of one’s position, the only information that is discoverable from the modem is on a specific beam one is transmitting over, and not one’s GPS co-ordinates.
These two advantages together ensure maximum anonymity and security for the users.
The benefits one should seek when specifying or deciding on a MOTS or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution should contain these crucial security advantages and be ultra-portable, battery powered and enable almost instantaneous connectivity.
In conflict-torn areas, one needs to be able to set up a comms channel with reliable connectivity instantly and transmit critical information or messages without revealing one’s position, as well as then being able to quickly move on.
Natural challenges
Not every blocked signal is due to a malevolent force. The Artic and Antarctic are two of the latest strategic ‘gameboards’ for control of movement and acquisition of material resources, yet establishing reliable communication capabilities in the polar regions remains a significant challenge.
Satellite transmission and reception technology can do much to solve this issue, and so Satcube continues to run several tests in the Far North together with partners and clients, achieving successful results and lessons worth sharing.
The Artic region has become the centre of attention for many governmental and non-governmental organisations, given the current geopolitical situation. NATO, for example, is running part of its ‘Steadfast Defender’ exercise – the largest of its kind since the Cold War – across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Consequently, functional means of communication over the region have also become a
priority. Major satcoms companies are working on different solutions, such as building a new constellation specifically for the Northern Polar region or using low Earth orbit (LEO) networks with dedicated polar orbit satellites within their fleets, but those solutions will take time before they are fully available.
Satcube, meanwhile, verifies that its current and readily available terminals can be a part of the solution quickly and easily. We collaborate with partners and customers to test our solutions across high latitudes in Far North areas, both in Scandinavia and in the United States. Our solutions have been tested in Utqiagvik, Alaska, which has a 71° latitude – and is as far north as can be reached in the United States – and in Arvidsjaur in Swedish Lapland, which has a 65° latitude.
The results speak for themselves: they achieved both up- and downlink speeds enabling voice and video transmission. From this success there are key recommendations to share for setting up a successful satcoms connection close to one of the two poles:
- First: perform a pre-study of locally available beams
Use a beam map to find the most optimal beam for signal strength and elevation. This will facilitate higher link speeds and find in which direction to point.
- Second: optimise the elevation angle and line of sight (LOS)
Elevation angle and LOS are the most important factors that will need refining to attain the highest possible transmission speeds. To do this find an open area to the southeast or southwest. Depending on the beam, calculate maximum object height and distance, based on the elevation. Find an elevated area and/or use a tripod for best results.
- Third: use a state-of-the-art satellite terminal
In real-life situations one needs to be able to fully rely on one’s equipment, no matter the price. Questions such as: ‘How rugged is it? Does it keep functioning at -20°C or under a layer of snow or ice? Is it reliable on battery power or does it need a power source? Is it still possible to transmit in areas subject to jamming?’ … are mission critical. The wrong terminal in an important situation could have serious consequences.
Fit for purpose
Whether facing natural or manmade challenges to signal reliability, one must consider all the advantages of any solution. As far as GPS jamming and area denial are concerned, satcoms have significant advantages, but are also only as reliable as the system’s terminals. This requires one to make sure the chosen or considered MOTS or COTS satcoms equipment is robust and as secure as necessary to perform in polar or other extreme climatic conditions.
At the end of the day …
The time has come to revolutionise access to satcoms services by tapping advancements in high-throughput satellites, LEO constellations and online capabilities for critical communications. We can do it; the technology is there. This is not a matter what is possible in the future; it is a matter of what we need now and having it at our fingertips.
At Satcube we are fixed on developing products and services that enable people to stay connected whenever and wherever they are using an affordable, robust, reliable, portable solution. From armed forces and special forces operators to blue- and orange-light services, this sort of technical expertise available now provides vital, seamless connectivity and borderless communication for all who require it.
