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Research Electronics Intl • 455 Security Drive • Algood, TN
38506 USA • +1 931 537-6032 • 800-824-3190 (US only) • Fax +1 931
537-6089www.reiusa.net
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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When comparing spectrum analyzers, it has become common to
reference a 100% Probability of Intercept (POI) specification. POI
refers to the minimum transmitter pulse duration that can be
detected with a 100% Probability of Intercept. When looking at
these types of specifications, it is very important to understand
the assumptions behind the claims and how they are calculated; with
POI, it is essential to understand the span at which the POI spec
is calculated.
Let’s take, for example, another manufacturer's spectrum
analyzer that we will call Product X, which claims the following
specification in their printed literature: “10,000 spectrums per
second with 100% probability of capturing transients with minimum
duration of 125 microseconds.” This is certainly an impressive
spec. However, it only applies when the span is set to a single
instantaneous bandwidth block of 20MHz wide and it ignores the
remainder of the spectrum.
The 100% POI, defined in this manner, is only
meaningful if you already know what the frequency is of the
suspicious signal. This specification could be very useful for
in-depth analysis of a specific known intermittent signal, for
example product development testing. However, if you are looking
for unknown signals that could be anywhere in the spectrum, or at
least beyond a 20MHz span, this definition of POI is NOT
useful.
The graphic above highlights a 20MHz span. This span is not
large enough to display even the entirety of a WiFi signal. Also
missed is the surrounding spectrum where another possibly
suspicious signal is lurking.
All modern spectrum analyzers have a front-end analog sweeping
block which breaks the spectrum in ‘blocks’ equal in size to their
instantaneous bandwidth. Following that, an analog to digital
converter samples this instantaneous block bandwidth for digital
processing. When looking at Product X, the digital side is really
fantastic and great for looking at 20MHz blocks one at a time. Yet,
the analog front-end is very slow.
Probability of Intercept Feature
Storing OSCOR Demodulated Signals (pg. 2)
Using Broadband Receivers to Find Transmitters (pg. 3)
Saved Spectrogram File Structure (pg. 4)
New Product Demonstration in Washington D.C. area (pg. 4)
In-house Manufacturing (pg. 5)
TSCM In the News (pg. 6)
Tradeshows & Seminars (pg. 6)
Training Calendar (pg. 6)
Continued on next page
PROBABILITY OF INTERCEPT
http://www.research-electronics.com/cgi-bin/main.cgi?action=view&ct=training&id=1080619205430299mailto:[email protected]
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When looking for signals where the frequency is unknown (meaning
the user needs to use a wide span) and considering a 100% POI type
of specification, it is vital to consider a whole range of values
depending on the frequency span.
OSCOR Green POI:
Frequency Span 1 pulse 100% POI duration25MHz 1.1 msec100MHz 4.2
msec1GHz 42 msec24GHz 1 sec
The OSCOR Green sweeps a full 24GHz in one second at a 12.2kHz
resolution. When the span is narrowed, the sweep rate increases.
Therefore, the 100% POI gets smaller and smaller. This is a much
more practical manner to compare this spec for unknown signals.
When searching for unknown signals, the OSCOR Green provides an
outstanding sweep speed performance and corresponding 100% POI. The
analog sweep speed and corresponding digital processing are
well-balanced to provide the best of both worlds when searching for
unknown signals.
REI
PROBABILITY OF INTERCEPT (Continued)(Continued)
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STORING OSCOR DEMODULATED SIGNALSTo assist with report writing
and analysis after a sweep is complete, the OSCOR provides the
ability to
capture various types of information from the display,
demodulated video, and audio signals. All information captured is
stored to either a compact flash card or a USB storage device, not
the OSCOR itself. In order to recognize an external USB hard drive,
the device must be formatted with a FAT file system such as FAT32.
If needed, the OSCOR can format the hard drive using the Storage
Manager feature (see page 22 of the OSCOR Green manual).
ScreenshotsScreenshots are a quick way of capturing everything
on the OSCOR display and can be taken at any point. To take a
screenshot, press and release the SHIFT key followed by the HELP
key. A dialog box will appear allowing users to select the
location, file type, and file name before saving. Screenshots can
be saved as .png or .bmp files.
AudioThere are two options available to record audio captured
using the OSCOR. The Quick Record feature allows a user to easily
record up to 30 seconds of audio that starts immediately when
selected without having to adjust the recording properties first.
After 30 seconds or when the
user manually stops the recording, a dialog box appears allowing
the user to specify the location and file type before saving.
To record longer durations of audio, it is necessary to use the
Record Audio feature, which requires users to setup the file
location and type before the recording will begin. The OSCOR will
continue recording audio to a file until it is either manually
halted by the user, or when the storage device becomes full.
Demodulated VideoThe OSCOR can capture screen shots of
demodulated analog video for post analysis. In the Analyze Mode
video demodulation screen, press the Frame Capture icon to capture
a still image and save it to a .png or .bmp file. The OSCOR manual
also provides instructions on how to activate the Baseband Out Port
while demodulating an analog signal in order to record to an
external device.
Taking the time to store information captured by the OSCOR can
greatly assist with the documentation process after users are no
longer on site. To find out more about the OSCOR Spectrum Analyzer
or the types of the training courses offered at REI, contact
[email protected].
REI
mailto:[email protected]
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Broadband detectors like the REI CPM700 can be used to
physically sweep a room to locate the source of an RF transmission.
One of the benefits of a broadband detector is the displayed
response to a nearby transmitter is almost instantaneous. When the
antenna comes within range of a transmitter, an immediate response
is displayed if it is the strongest signal present.
Broadband refers to the wide frequency range or spectrum within
which the broadband detector is able to detect signals. The
broadband detector will see any RF energy, regardless of the signal
type (broadband vs. narrowband, modulated, etc.).
Broadband detectors commonly display the highest RF level in the
area as a bar graph or spectral graph. As the receiver antenna gets
closer to a transmitter the signal increases, and decreases as it
moves away. To find the location of a hidden surveillance
transmitter, find the area of the room that produces the highest
level on the bar graph. A “walk around sweep” will locate the area
of a room that is “HOT” with RF energy.
The detection range depends on several factors; the
transmit power, antenna efficiency, and signal pattern. The
volume of surrounding RF energy is also a key factor, such as
commercial radio/TV/cell phone and two-way radio transmissions. In
large cities and areas of high concentrations of RF activity, the
receiver can become over saturated. If the receiver has adjustable
gain settings, it may be necessary to adjust gain or
attenuation.
Some of the functions a typical broadband receiver can perform
include:
• RF - band specific probes provide different frequency
sensitivities such as Cell phone or WiFi bands
• VLF or Carrier Current – detects low frequency transmissions
on cables and wiring
• IR – tests for Infrared transmitters • Audio Amplifier –
amplifies low-power audio signals
for basic audio testing• Attenuation Control – to lessen signal
intensity• Audio Demodulation – for recognizing room audio
Audio and video devices can transmit information using RF energy
to a listening post. They may also send information along ordinary
power lines, phone lines, or building wiring. Information may be
analog (modulated onto the signal) or digital (encoded into a
series of 1’s and 0’s that will be de-coded at the listening post).
Utilizing various probes in addition to a broadband receiver can
assist in detecting these types of transmitters.
A broadband detector is a physical search tool and foundational
to countermeasures work. Any sweep must include a complete physical
search of the target area and will usually require many tools and
methods to perform thorough investigations. The REI Training Center
Countermeasures Core Level 1 course teaches the use of the CPM 700
and other products for investigating illicit information theft.
Click here for more information on the
Countermeasures Core Level 1 Course.
REI
USING BROADBAND RECEIVERS TO FIND TRANSMITTERS
Figure A - Shows a CPM 700 and BMP probe being used to
sweep for transmitters.
http://www.reiusa.net/cgi-bin/main.cgi?action=view&ct=training&id=1110512162429980
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SAVED SPECTROGRAM FILE STRUCTURE
NEW PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON D.C. AREA
REI is continuously developing new products and we want to give
you a sneak peek of our recent additions. Following the success of
our May product demonstrations in the Washington D.C. area, REI is
offering another chance to view our newest products and the latest
developments on existing products.
WHEN: August 30 at 9:00 A.M. orAugust 31 at 9:00 A.M.
WHERE: AC Hotel156 Waterfront StreetNational Harbor,
Maryland
Visit http://www.reiusa.net/quick/demo-2016 to learn more and
RSVP. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, August 24 in order
to attend. Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any
questions.
REI
When the OSCOR saves a Spectrogram waterfall file, it may be
confusing to see a perceptibly small
.wfl file size in comparison to what might be expected from a
long term data capture.
OSCOR Spectrograms are actually made up of multiple data files.
When opening a Spectrogram on the OSCOR to review, the dialog box
will display only the .wfl header file that is used to load the
supporting data files to recreate the waterfall. The size of this
header file will typically be a few KB or less (most frequently 1
KB as pictured below).
Also contained in the saved folder are all the hidden data files
used to recreate the waterfall for review. The size of these files
will depend upon the setup and duration of the waterfall. These
files are not visible to the user on the OSCOR but are required to
open the Spectrogram. On a PC, the data files will be in a folder
with the same file name as the .wfl header file. Therefore, when
copying Spectrogram files between different media, copy the entire
Spectrogram folder versus only the header .wfl file.
If you have further questions, please contact REI Technical
Support at 931-537-6032.
REI
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http://www.reiusa.net/quick/demo-2016mailto:[email protected]
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For over thirty years, REI has been manufacturing its entire
product line in-house. “We have people behind our products,” says
Production Manager Derek Lane. “A team of individuals work
together, each an expert on the component for which they are
responsible, to assemble every product before it makes one last
stop.”
Tony Parsons (pictured below) is one of those last stops. “I’m
the ORION specialist,” says Parsons. He has been overseeing final
assembly and quality assurance of REI’s ORION product line for the
last seven years.
According to the Associated Press, over fifty percent of U.S.
manufacturing jobs are being outsourced. So why does REI continue
to produce each item under their own roof? There are several
benefits of operating in this manner; benefits that are then
conveyed to customers:
QualityREI sees, touches, and tests each product before it is
shipped out. With complete control over the manufacturing process,
REI does not have to be concerned with whether a third-party
company is dedicated to the quality of their products.
Unlike many companies, REI does not have a standalone repair
department. If a product has been damaged and needs to be fixed, it
returns to the individual who assembled it. “No one knows more
about the product than I do, because I built it. I’m the most
qualified person to repair it,” says Parsons.
AdaptabilityREI does not batch manufacture products only to have
them sit on a shelf. Low volumes are maintained to allow for
adaptability to change. “We can make manufacturing changes in as
little as twenty-four hours,” says Lane. “If an adjustment is
needed to improve production, we can make that happen almost
immediately.”
SpecificityREI’s engineering and production departments work in
tandem, making software and hardware that are specifically designed
for each other. If either function was outsourced, REI could be
forced to make compromises to ensure compatibility. From beginning
to end, REI knows that each element is going to work together
seamlessly. Each time a customer orders an ORION from REI they can
be confident that it meets the highest standards (and Tony assures
it).
REI
IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING
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Research Electronics International455 Security Drive • Algood,
TN 38506 USATEL +1 931.537.6032 • FAX +1
931.537.6089www.reiusa.net
2016 REI TRAINING CALENDAR
SENATE PASSES TRADE-SECRETS BILLApril 4, 2016Source: The Wall
Street JournalArticle: http://on.wsj.com/1qnxqKT
EX-CORRECTIONS OFFICER SENTENCED FOR RECORDING SUPERIORSJune 23,
2016Source: Allegan Co. NewsArticle: http://bit.ly/298qOKB
CHINA SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR ESPIONAGE, SAYING HE SOLD
SECRETSApril 19, 2016Source: New York TimesArticle:
http://nyti.ms/295o5Db
3D PRINTERS WIDE-OPEN TO HACKINGMarch 8, 2016Source: Network
WorldArticle: http://bit.ly/21WzPg9
HERE'S HOW YOUR SMARTPHONE'S VIBRATION MOTOR MAY HELP OTHERS SPY
ON YOUJune 7, 2016Source: Tech TimesArticle:
http://bit.ly/1PppdLT
NAVY SAILOR PLEADS GUILTY TO ESPIONAGE FOR SUBMARINE PHOTOSMay
27, 2016Source: The HillArticle: http://bit.ly/1XWujWS
EAVESDROPPING 'ROBO-BEES' USE STATIC TO PERCH ON THE CEILINGMay
20, 2016Source: The TimesArticle: http://bit.ly/1r07oN8
Countermeasures Core Concepts Level 1August 1 - 5
RF OSCOR Course Level 2Frequency AnalysisAugust 8 - 12
TALAN Telephone Countermeasures Course Level 2August 8 - 12
RF OSCOR Certification CourseLevel 3August 15 - 19
Countermeasures Core Concepts Level 1September 12 - 16
RF OSCOR Course Level 2Frequency AnalysisSeptember 19 - 23
TALAN Telephone Countermeasures Course Level 2September 19 -
23
VoIP Voice Over Internet Protocol Course Level 3September 26 -
28
Countermeasures Core Concepts Level 1October 3 - 7
SPANISH COURSE PACKAGE
Spanish RF OSCOR/TALANLevel 2October 3 - 14
RF OSCOR Course Level 2Frequency AnalysisOctober 10 - 14
Advanced Equipment Use Level 3October 17 - 21
Countermeasures Core Concepts Level 1October 31 - November 4
RF OSCOR Course Level 2Frequency AnalysisNovember 7 - 11
TALAN Telephone Countermeasures Course Level 2November 7 -
11
RF OSCOR Course Level 2Frequency AnalysisNovember 14 - 18
TALAN Certification Course Level 2November 14 - 18
COURSE DATES &
REGISTRATIONwww.reiusa.net/quick/coursereg
TRADESHOWS & SEMINARS
FBINAA NATIONAL CONFERENCEJuly 23 - 26, 2016America's Center,
St. Louis, Missourihttp://www.fbinaa2016.com/
ASIS INTERNATIONALSeptember 12 - 15, 2016Orange County
Convention Center, Orlando,
Floridahttps://securityexpo.asisonline.org
WORLD INVESTIGATOR'S CONFERENCEAugust 16 - 19, 2016La Torretta
Lake Resort, Montgomery, Texashttp://2016wic.com/
SECURITY ESSENSeptember 27 - 30, 2016Essen Fairground, Essen,
Germanyhttp://www.security-essen.de
:// IN THE NEWS
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http://www.reiusa.nethttp://http://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://on.wsj.com/1qnxqKThttp://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://bit.ly/298qOKBhttp://nyti.ms/295o5Dbhttp://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://bit.ly/21WzPg9http://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://bit.ly/1PppdLThttp://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://bit.ly/1XWujWShttp://tinyurl.com/p6lbxnjhttp://bit.ly/1r07oN8www.reiusa.net/quick/coursereghttp://www.fbinaa2016.com/https://securityexpo.asisonline.orghttp://2016wic.com/http://www.security-essen.de
PROBABILITY OF INTERCEPTContinued on next pageSTORING OSCOR
DEMODULATED SIGNALSUSING BROADBAND RECEIVERS TO FIND
TRANSMITTERSSAVED SPECTROGRAM FILE STRUCTURENEW PRODUCT
DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON D.C. AREAIN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING://in
the newsTRADESHOWS & SeminarsCountermeasures Core Concepts
Level 1