Passive Geolocation Using 3D TDOA Techniques

This white paper focuses on the passive geolocation technique known as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), which calculates the location of a source by analyzing the time differences of signals received at different spatially separated receivers. The document outlines the basic operating principles of TDOA, including the cross-correlation function, which determines the time delay of received signals to establish relative distances from the receivers. Furthermore, it discusses factors affecting the accuracy of TDOA measurements, such as timing accuracy, sample rate, and network geometry. Applications of TDOA include detecting signals from small RF emitters, which can be valuable in various scenarios, including search and rescue operations using UAVs and drone detection. The paper also details the operational setup for a proof-of-concept study conducted in Buffalo, New York, which assesses the performance of the TDOA methodology in a real-world environment, illustrating its potential benefits over active geolocation techniques.