Novel Advanced Hybrid Jamming Techniques for GPS/GLONASS Receivers on UAVs Using Locally Designed SDR Platform
Abdo Ballouk, Mohamed Khaled Chahine, Mohamed Alhariri · International Journal of Sensors Wireless Communications and Control · 2025
Background: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) pose significant security risks to critical infrastructure, potentially leading to unauthorized surveillance, attacks, or accidents. Counteracting these threats requires robust defensive measures. UAVs predominantly rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and GLONASS, for navigation. Disrupting these systems through jamming can effectively hinder UAV operations. This paper introduces novel hybrid jamming techniques targeting GPS and GLONASS signals, utilizing locally developed Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology to enhance security against UAV threats. Objective: The aim of this study is to propose and assess the efficiency of hybrid jamming techniques for GPS and GLONASS in UAVs, employing an SDR platform as a defense mechanism. Methods: A locally designed SDR platform was employed to implement and test several hybrid jamming methods, including combinations of spot jamming, sweep jamming, and frequency hopping jamming. These methods targeted the civilian GPS L1 frequency (1575.42 MHz) and GLONASS G1 frequency range (1593–1610 MHz). Tests were conducted on multiple commercial UAVs to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in disrupting navigation. Results and Discussion: The combination of spot jamming with sweep jamming, at a 1575.42 MHz center frequency and a 2 MHz sweep bandwidth for GPS, and sweep jamming for GLONASS G1 proved to be the most effective. Contrarily, sweep jamming paired with frequency hopping jamming showed the least disruption. Conclusion: The effectiveness of advanced hybrid jamming techniques for disrupting GNSS signals in UAVs has been demonstrated, with the potential to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure.