IRCOS JSC

Technical Means for Radio Monitoring

Investigations - Design & Engineering - Manufacturing - Delivery - Maintenance

Direction Finders


This section presents the direction finders manufactured and supplies by IRCOS company. Their range includes fixed, mobile, transportable, portable and manpack designs. That make possible to choose appropriate type depending on application conditions.

Each of direction finders is a multi-functional tool, which provides not only for direction finding, but also for panoramic high-speed scan over entire frequency range or separated sub-ranges, automated monitoring of signal at separated frequencies, measuring of signal parameters, signal recording and technical analysis of radio signals.

Automatic direction finders includes two-channel digital radio receivers integrated with antenna systems. This feature enables high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, eliminates antenna effects and allows the use of very long flexible Ethernet lead-in cables. All automatic direction finders manufactured by the company are based on correlative interferometery method. Max. simultaneous bandwidth of each channel of digital radio receiver of fixed and mobile ground based direction finders may be 24 or 100 MHz depending the receiver model.

All direction finders' parameters, including RMS and DF sensitivity, are measured based on test procedures given in Recommendations ITU-R SM.2060 and SM.2096. For each direction finder standard sensitivity is specified being determined as its mean value within the frequency range for a group of products.

All the direction finders (except ARTIKUL-P) provides for signal direction finding in short-wave range in HF range starting from 1.5 MHz. In the maximum configuration, the upper operating frequency of the direction finder is 8000 MHz.

The key feature of all direction finders (except ARTIKUL-P) manufactured by the company is implementation of the following functions:

Fixed Direction Finders

Direction Finders operated standalone or as a part of fixed stations can be controlled remotely. Equipment is mounted inside temperature controlled and moisture protected boxes. Its placement does not require service premises. All equipment can be installed outdoors, e.g. on rooftop of building. Direction finders include an integrated diagnostics system of state and operation parameters of modules and units. Diagnostics results are transmitted using SNMP protocol. Remote control of direction finders through wire or wireless channels allows using them in automated spectrum monitoring systems.

To prevent overloading in complicated electromagnetic environment, digital radio receiver of direction finders includes additional analogue radio receiving path with narrow bandwidth in each receiving channel.

When a network of several direction finders is available, "hybrid" method of localizing radio emission sources can be implemented. In this case location of radio emission sources is calculated based on the integration of information: bearings, arrival time and radio signal levels.

Direction finders can include built-in automatic positioning system and determining the direction to the north.

DF instrumental error (RMS) of ARTIKUL-S Fixed Direction Finder doesn't exceed 1.5° within frequency range of 20-3000 MHz.

Ground and Air-Based Mobile Direction Finders

ARTIKUL-M1 Mobile Direction Finder is designed for installation on a transport mean, for example on a car. Two-channel digital radio receiver and navigation system is integrated inside the direction finding body. The direction finder can work in motion and at stop, controlled by automated system or in standalone mode. Even in stand-alone operation, the mobile direction finder provides localization of radio emission sources with high accuracy. DF instrumental error (RMS) doesn't exceed 2° within frequency range of 20-3000 MHz. There are two design options of the direction finder: quick-detachable and fixed. In case of quick-detachable design the direction finder is mounted in the vehicle's railings. In case of fixed design the direction finder is mounted on the vehicle roof under radome.

ARTIKUL-D11 Portable Automatic Direction Finder and ARTIKUL-H1 Manpack Automatic Direction Finder can also be operated in mobile mode. These system provide for automatic direction finding within frequency range of 1.5 – 8000 MHz using replaceable antenna systems. Antenna system of the direction finder is mounted inside replaceable radio transparent luggage box.

ARTIKUL-V3 air-based direction finders are designed for installation to aircrafts. The direction finders includes remote control and communication systems, high efficient ARC-KNV3 Navigation System that provides not only for coordinates and course, but bank and pitch angles of the carrier as well.

Transportable and Portable Direction Finders

This automated radio monitoring equipment is based on standard modules, which are also used in fixed, mobile and handheld equipment. They are designed for transportation by vehicles to the deployment area or for carrying by one or several operators. These direction finders can be deployed in fixed workstations, temporary workstation and on the open ground. The equipment is not intended for operation on the move. There are some limitations in terms of weight, power consumption and dimensions. If required, the equipment can be powered from a standalone power supply.

ARTIKUL-T Transportable Automatic Direction Finder has the design very similar to ARTIKUL-S Direction Finder, but its operating frequency range is limited by 3000 MHz in order to decrease weight / dimensions and make easier transportation and deployment.

ARTIKUL-MT Transportable Direction Finder has quite small weight and dimensions. ARTIKUL-MT is intended for monitoring of radio environment. It also uses two-channel digital radio receiver installed into thermostatic waterproof case located right under the antenna system. With AS-HP-HF, AS-HP2, AS-HP5 replaceable antenna systems, DF operating frequency range is from 1.5 to 8000 MHz.

ARTIKUL-D11 Portable Direction Finder provides for high-efficient automatic single-channel and multi-channel direction finding of radio signals with arbitrary bandwidth within frequency range of 1.5 – 8 000 MHz. For direction finding the following antenna systems are used: AS-HP-HF (1.5 – 30 MHz), AS-HP2 (3 – 8 GHz), AS-HP5 (20 – 3000 MHz). The key feature of ARTIKUL-D11 Direction Finder while operating at temporary workstation is that the antenna systems are switched electronically, so no manual reconnection is required. ARTIKUL-D11 Direction Finder provides for panoramic scan and direction finding with simultaneous bandwidth of 100 MHz When mounted on transport means the direction finder provides for operation at stops and while moving.

ARTIKUL-P Portable Automatic Direction Finder provides for following radiomonitoring tasks afield: automatic direction finding, panoramic spectrum analysis, field strength evaluation, evolution radio signal parameters, recording and technical analysis of radio signals, monitoring of radio channels. Its operating frequency range: 25 – 3000 MHz.

Manpack Direction Finders

Manpack radio monitoring means are designed for operation during motion and stops. They can be used both in open terrain and indoors, be carried on body or in the hands of the operator during work, and also be used at temporary and fixed workstations or on mobile carriers. The manpack means are most effective when used to solve the "last mile" tasks, their design is optimized for service in hard-to-access locations, or where hidden use of equipment is required.

ARTIKUL-H1 Manpack Automatic Direction Finder is intended for manpack, mast-mounted and mobile operation. AS-HP-HF, AS-HP1, AS-HP2, and AS-HP5 replaceable antenna systems provide direction finding within operating frequency range from 1.5 to 8000 MHz. ARGAMAK-2K7 Two-Channel Panoramic Radio Receiver with max. simultaneous bandwidth of 24 MHz is used as radio receiver. During work at a temporary stops the antenna system is mounted on an collapsible tripode. For mobile operation antenna system of the direction finder is mounted inside replaceable radio transparent luggage box. Manpack operation mode is provided by special light frame with shoulder straps and belt, to which replaceable antenna system is mounted and ARGAMAK-2K7 Two-Channel Radio Receiver is attached.

For radiomonitoring and localization of radio emissions sources afield and inside the objects, ARC-RP3M Handheld Direction Finderis used. Complete configuration of such direction finder has operating frequency range from 0.3 to 8000 MHz Apart from the panoramic spectrum analysis, detection and manual direction finding the direction finder performs identification and selective direction finding of GSM, DECT base and subscriber substations, Wi-Fi wireless devices. For field operation, the software of direction finder features a mode for automatic measurement of coordinates of the source for which bearings are taken and display of its position on the electronic map.



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