Design a Smartphone App or Hardware to detect GPS Jammer Devices

TAGS: 

Physical Sciences, Engineering/Design, Computer Science/Information Technology, Tec^Edge (Air Force), Popular Science, Theoretical-licensing

AWARD: $20,000 USD  |  DEADLINE: 1/03/13  |  ACTIVE SOLVERS: 182  |  POSTED: 10/25/12

Design a system to detect  the location of GPS jamming devices.  Either hardware or software solutions (particularly those involving use of distributed smartphones) may be acceptable; scalability and robustness are key criteria. If a smartphone app is proposed, Solvers should explain why smartphone users would be motivated to use the proposed app.  Technical requirements and description of prior hardware solutions are available in the full description.
This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Source: InnoCentive      Challenge ID: 9932738

 

 

Challenge Overview

GPS (Global Positioning System) jammers deny GPS signal within a local “bubble” by emitting noise at the same frequency transmitted from GPS satellites.  GPS jammers are illegal in most places due to the danger posed by unexpected loss of navigation.  However, due to the low-power nature of the GPS system, it is relatively easy to jam a local GPS signal using a cheap radio device.  Solvers are challenged to design a scalable system to detect the location of a GPS jammer device.
While a number of prior jammer locator designs exist, the Seeker is aware of none that have solved the key problem of efficient coverage---a single GPS jammer can currently dominate a large area while remaining difficult to detect and locate.  Current jammer detector technology would require a prohibitively large and/or expensive number of sensors to cover a similar area as a single cheap jammer device.  This Challenge seeks a hardware- or software-based design that can be implemented on smartphones.
The Seeker may be interested in additional follow-on work to obtain prototypes for the most promising theoretical designs; successful Solvers may be invited to engage in the design/prototyping process.
In many places, it is illegal to disrupt or interfere with radio transmissions.  Solvers are NOT PERMITTED to engage in any testing or prototyping that could (intentionally or unintentionally) cause illegal interference.
This is a Theoretical Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted.  The Challenge award will be contingent upon theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the Seeker.  To receive an award, Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive IP rights to the Seeker.  Instead, in exchange for the Challenge award, Solvers will grant to the Seeker non-exclusive license to practice the proposed solution.

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