Spectrum Monitoring
The Key Bridge Wideband Spectrum Monitoring System is a powerful and
cost-effective turn-key solution for spectrum situational awareness.
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to discuss your particular configuration.
Technology Overview
The Key Bridge Wideband Spectrum Monitoring System is an integrated spectrum capture,
monitoring and data management solution that transforms off-air data into meaningful,
actionable information in near real-time.
System Overview.
Spectrum Monitoring supports a variable sized constellation of intelligent spectrum
sensors for data collection that may be permanently or intermittently con-
nected to the Network. Sensors may be remotely deployed and connected over any standard
TCP/IP network including cable, fiber, remote dial up and 3G cellular, to provide
high performance remote signal monitoring and near real-time carrier detection
– within a building, city-wide, or across an entire theater of operation.
The Key Bridge Wideband Spectrum Monitoring system is built around a custom
developed, network-aware, digital RF sensing system with frequency coverage of 5 MHz to 2,500
MHz, enabling for rapid identification of fixed and transient signals in most all commercially
and tactically relevant parts of the spectrum. The system seamlessly merges the capabilities of
high-performance spectrum analysis with a geographically distributed intelligent sensor net-
work.
Private versus Leased & Managed Configurations
End-to-end systems are typically required when the information must remain
private or secure. If your information security profile permits cloud-based
operations and shared infrastructure then a managed, leased system may
offer a compelling alternative.
Popular with commercial and enterprise users, a Key Bridge managed, leased spectrum
monitoring system can help companies reduce start-up and ongoing expenses and
allow rapid access to critical spectrum data that they need without the operational
overhead of running a dedicated sensor network.
Features & Capabilities
The end-to-end spectrum monitoring system supporting variable sized
constellations of sensors that are intelligent, network aware digital
receivers with 5 MHz to 2,500 MHz frequency response.
Distributed Intelligence with Central Analysis and Control
Key Bridge custom developed spectrum sensors are low-cost intelligent network appliances
with local spectrum processing and analysis capability. Our radio frequency monitoring and
carrier detection system emphasizes low-cost, high performance general processing power and
places resources close the data acquisition source. Internal storage allows rapid deployment or
expansion into new geographic areas of interest, whereby sensing system may be deployed
immediately and then synchronized days, weeks or months later with no loss of data while
the network infrastructure catches up.
Centralized analysis and control.
Support for Multiple Wideband RF Sensors
Modern wireless transmitters may operate with lower power, higher frequencies and wider sig-
nal bandwidths than before. New cognitive and software defined radios can be frequency agile,
finding and transmitting in channels across a wide spectrum, while RF propagation
characteristics may create hidden nodes that are not be detectable at a receiver’s location.
These trends require a new approach to spectrum monitoring, carrier detection and transmitter
identification where receivers must be both located closer to the transmitter and distributed
across geographic areas of interest. The Key Bridge Wideband Spectrum Monitoring
System provides an affordable turn-key solution for these unique challenges.
Key Features
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Support for variable sized constellations of sensors
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Intelligent, network aware digital receivers with 5 MHz to 2,500 MHz frequency response
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Fine grained job control for operation across large areas and frequencies of interest
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Simplified field installation and configuration: Connect the antenna + power and GO!
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Large internal storage enables off-network monitoring with no impact on performance
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Auto-calibrated digital spectrum measurements with fine grain time-stamping
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Optional GPS support for field monitoring and “drive test” surveys
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Industry standard TCP/IP networking, security and data encryption enabled by default
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Enclosure options support indoor and outdoor installations
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Solid state drive and internal battery options available
Common Applications & Uses
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Spectrum occupancy, utilization, monitoring and inventory
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Signal search, detection and transmitter identification
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Interference and carrier intrusion detection and resolution
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Continuous spectrum and carrier performance monitoring
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Long-term spectrum characterization and noise floor measurements
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Emitter geolocation
Advanced Functionality
This end-to-end spectrum monitoring solution supports variable sized
constellations of low-cost sensors that are intelligent, network aware
digital receivers with frequency response from 5 MHz to 2,500 MHz.
Mapping and Visualization
The Wideband Spectrum Monitoring System leverages Key Bridge Spectrum Mapping
technologies for quick and detailed visual inspection of your spectrum environment.
The System leverages patent pending methods to combine predicted coverage
models with empirical measurement and presents a highly accurate digital
representation of your real-world spectrum environment.
Mapping of predicted and empirical data. Map data © Google
Key Bridge Wideband Spectrum Monitoring System enables you to make informed
choices and better plan your own deployments.
Fixed and Mobile Multi-Sensor Networks
Captured spectrum data is automatically geo-tagged whenever the optional GPS receiver is
attached to the RF sensor. Combined with the device’s internal storage and persistent
configuration, the system supports mobile sensing and on-the-move survey applications out-of-the-box
and with no additional configuration required.
If desired, a local computer can directly interface with the device to view spectrum survey data
and receive alerts in near real-time. Data is recorded and automatically synchronized with the
System Manager when network connectivity is reestablished.
Fixed & mobile sensor grids
Intelligent Analysis
Automated carrier detection and continuous, long-term monitoring capabilities
provide new insight and clarity for spectrum occupancy, transmitter
characterization and environmental measurements.
Automated Carrier Detection and Identification
Automated carrier detection
Continuous and transient candidate signals are automatically identified and marked for
inspection in near real-time. When connected to a network, the SM 3500 system attempts
to match detected signals with ITU allocation type and known entities in the licensed
or unlicensed transmitter database.
For operation outside the United States, spectrum plan information may be configured several
ways: automatically via external data services; bulk data import into the system’s database;
semi automatically via user acknowledgement of detected signals; or via user data entry.
Continuous & Sustained Long-Term Monitoring
Occasional use transmissions
Accurate spectrum monitoring requires continuous data acquisition over extended periods.
Whether ensuring the presence of known carriers, assuring the absence of unwelcome
or unauthorized transmitters or monitoring transient or unlicensed activities,
only continuous, long-term monitoring can provide meaningful context and perspective.
The obvious benefits of sustained monitoring are often not realized as spectrum analyzers are
prohibitively expensive, not network aware, and cannot be easily installed or controlled
remotely. Key Bridge solves this problem with a custom-developed, low-cost, network-enabled
intelligent receiver that leverages local processing and storage with central management,
analysis and control.
Desktop & Remote Client
A desktop application and rich Internet portal enable seamless local
and remote access to your entire sensor grid.
Local plus Remote Monitoring and Control
Desktop user interface
The spectrum sensor is designed to simplify a technician’s task load while ensuring reliable,
high-performance data acquisition at minimal cost. It has no front panel controls and is fully
capable of independent, un-tethered operation.
Key Bridge provides a fully-functional desktop application for individual
sensor control and out-of-box configurations. Once deployed in the field a sensor
is capable of autonomous, independent operation and can be securely managed
and controlled remotely.
Technical Specifications
The system’s modular design creates an affordable entry point that easily
scales to support high-availability, load balancing and fail-over redundancy.
The spectrum sensor is designed to simplify a technician’s task load
while ensuring reliable, high-performance data acquisition at minimal cost.
It has no front panel controls and is fully capable of independent,
un-tethered operation out of the box.
Parameter | Specification |
Frequency Coverage | 5 MHz to 2,500 MHz |
Span Width | 1 MHz to 1,250 MHz |
Resolution Bandwidth | 0.01 MHz to 1 MHz |
RF Sensitivity | Greater than -85 dBm typical |
Reference Levels | -10 dBm to -50 dBm |
Dynamic Range | 40 dB |
Receiver Accuracy | +/- 1 dB typical |
Frequency Accuracy | +/- 0.001 MHz typical |
Input Connector | BNC & N type (Others optional) |
CPU Intel | Atom D525 |
Memory | 1 GByte DDR3 |
Storage | 1 TB HDD (128 GB Solid State Drive optional) |
Networking | 2 x 1000 BaseT Ethernet
(optional with 802.11g WLAN) |
Operating System | Security Enhanced Linux, Embedded |
Size | 17” x 8” x 2” for indoor unit
11” x 9” x 5” for outdoor unit |
Weight | 4 lbs for indoor unit
5 lbs for outdoor unit (w/o battery) |
Power Requirements | +12 VDC / 25 W maximum draw |
Operating Temperature | 0 to +40 deg C |
Installation Options
Indoor Enclosure
Indoor 1U Half-depth Chassis
The indoor configuration is a 1-rack unit, 1/2 depth rack mountable standard
computer chassis similar to the configuration shown with a factory-installed
and integrated sensor subsystem (not shown).
Indoor configurations are delivered with a BNC antenna connector.
Outdoor Enclosure
Outdoot Pole-mount Chassis
The outdoor configuration has the sensor installed in a painted die cast
aluminum outdoor enclosure configured with a 20mm hole for a CAT5 or
other cable feed through and a cutout for mounting an N type bulkhead
connector for attaching an external antenna.
The enclosure is gasket sealed for protection from the elements and
meets a NEMA 4X / IP65 rating for weatherproofing and comes with a
u-bolt bracket kit for mounting to a wall or to a pole with diameter
up to 1.7".
Mobile Installations
Mobile installations are custom engineered according to the vehicle and
ruggedness requirements.