Detecting and localization method of unknown signal using aircraft with ADS-B system

A method of detecting an unknown signal and estimating a source location of the unknown signal using network connected aircraft, the method comprising:

• obtaining, in a first step (S100′), from a plurality of airborne aircrafts operating in a wireless communication network implementing an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system, an aircraft signal comprising GNSS signals transmitted from navigation satellites and an occurrence of disturbance or interference of the GNSS signals, the aircraft signal transmitted to one of the plurality of aircrafts through the ADS-B system;
• wherein in the ADS-B system, the ATC serves as a wireless access point and the plurality of airborne aircrafts serve as a client;
• detecting, in a second step (S200′), by one of the plurality of aircraft, a presence of the unknown signal in the aircraft signal based on the aircraft signal transmitted from the plurality of aircrafts in the first step (S100′);
• wherein the airborne aircrafts are located within a physical distance capable of receiving the occurrence of disturbance or interference at a predetermined relevant time period, the disturbance or interference encompassed within a frequency spectrum of the GNSS signals;
• wherein detecting in the second step (S200′) further comprises:
• dividing the aircraft signals into identical time blocks;
• converting divided aircraft signals to a plurality of frequency areas;
• obtaining power statistics from the plurality of frequency areas;
• applying a spectrum mask of the GNSS to the power statistics;
• determining a presence of a power of a frequency deviated from a power of a frequency spectrum mask of the GNSS signals;
• and
• determining the occurrence of disturbance or interference of the GNSS signals based on the presence of the deviated power of the frequency;
• estimating, in a third step (S300′), the source location of the unknown signal based on one of a TDOA method, a TOA method, and an AOA method and an altitude of the unknown signal when the occurrence of disturbance or interference associated with the unknown signal on the GNSS signals is detected from the aircraft signal in the second step (S200′);
• and
• transmitting, in a fourth step (S400′), a message including a source code indicative of the presence of the occurrence of disturbance or the interference associated with the unknown signal, detected in the second step (S200′) and the source location of the unknown signal estimated in the third step (S300′), to one or more neighboring aircrafts and the ATC through a flight information services-broadcast (FIS-B);
• wherein in the detection step (S200′), detection of the presence of the unknown signal is not based on a signal received at a receiver installed at the ATC, thereby enhancing the precision of the detection of the presence of the unknown signal.