KOSTET SYSTEM / GEOLOCATION

TDOA Location

Time-coherent distributed RF sensing for locating emitters from the difference in signal arrival time at geographically separated sensors.

The architecture uses GNSS-referenced SDR sensor nodes that capture the same emission with precise sample timing. Central processing cross-correlates captures, estimates differential delay and solves for a position with appropriate weighting and uncertainty.

Timing principleFrequency synchronization and epoch synchronization are separate requirements. Linux/USB timing is administrative — RF sample timing must be tied to hardware counters, PPS or equivalent deterministic references.

Sensor-node direction

Raspberry Pi-class processing with capable SDR hardware such as bladeRF 2.0 micro
Timing-grade GNSS for UTC, sensor position and 1 PPS
PPS/reference lock and sample-counter metadata retained with every usable capture
Local capture and quality assessment; centralized correlation and final geolocation

Central localization

Correlation

Cross-correlation estimates relative arrival time while preserving ambiguity, SNR and signal-bandwidth information.

Geometry

Sensor positions and timing quality define the usable hyperbolic geometry and strongly influence achievable accuracy.

Weighting

Solutions can weight observations by timing uncertainty, correlation quality, geometry and other measurement-quality factors.

Uncertainty

Results retain probability/uncertainty regions rather than displaying false precision as a single exact point.

Beyond TDOA alone

The common geographic model is intended to support TDOA, DF bearings, direct positions and external localization evidence. Fusion can then exploit complementary geometry without discarding the provenance of each observation.

Need distributed RF localization?

Contact Kostet to discuss signal characteristics, coverage geometry, timing architecture, required accuracy and suitable sensor placement.

Contact Kostet