EW: wartime technologies and their impact on GPS transport monitoring
In times of war, we all have to deal with rather unusual things that few thought about in peaceful times. In particular, with technologies used by the military. Today, war is first and foremost a war of technologies, and electronic devices play an important role in it. Weapon targeting, air defense, and the use of UAVs — all of these are based on electronic communication, and the task of the military is not only to use it accurately but also to prevent its accurate use by the enemy. This is exactly why EW, or electronic warfare technologies, are used. However, such means suppress not only the enemy’s communication but affect all devices around, regardless of which side they belong to. Therefore, if you use GPS, it is crucial to understand the principle of EW operation and how EW affects GPS. This will not only help maintain the efficiency of your transport within the EW impact zone but can often become a key factor in preserving your vehicles and the lives of their drivers.
What is electronic warfare (EW) and how does it affect GPS transport monitoring?
First of all, what is EW? This abbreviation conceals a whole range of tools developed to disrupt stable communication between the operator and weapons operating on electronic communication principles. EW encompasses various tools and devices, but their primary classification is based on the impact range:
- Operational-tactical EW is used at distances up to 500 km.
- Tactical EW operates within a range of up to 50 km.
- Short-range EW can usually jam signals at distances up to 10 km.
The principle of EW operation is to suppress radio signals to interrupt communication. Modern EW systems create a dense background of interference in the radio ether, generating complex adaptive signals to cover the widest possible frequency range and disorient as many enemy strike systems as possible. Unfortunately, the impact of EW on GPS is negative because, due to signal jamming or frequency interception, data retrieval from satellites and their transmission via mobile communication becomes, if not impossible, then at least incorrect.
Of course, this leads to challenges in the operation of GPS transport monitoring in areas affected by EW. The most significant challenges include:
- Loss of control over the movement of the vehicle;
- Issues with mileage and fuel consumption tracking;
- Delivery deadline disruptions;
- Inability to build and adhere to optimal routes;
- Risks to the safety of the vehicle and the driver, as if a car falls under EW influence, it not only loses satellite communication but also faces the potential danger of coming under enemy fire.
How can EW interference disrupt GPS trackers?
From a technical perspective, EW impact on GPS monitoring involves complete jamming or distortion of navigation signals. Both complete blocking of tracker signals and spoofing — the falsification of signals transmitting geolocation — are possible. Both types of EW and GPS interaction have negative consequences for transport monitoring systems, including the following:
What consequences can arise for transport due to EW impact?
The most critical EW-induced GPS disruptions are interruptions of continuous and accurate data transmission between the satellite, tracker, and the servers where the GPS tracker sends information. This leads to:
- Reduced positioning and data accuracy, particularly concerning transport routes, vehicle speed, current location, fuel losses, etc.
- Loss of communication with the vehicle, stopping data transmission, and consequently — total loss of control and disruption of cargo delivery schedules, arrival at loading points, and provision of passenger transport services.
- Security risks for cargo and vehicles. Notably, EW is not always exclusively a military technology; sometimes, it is used by malicious actors to hijack transport or steal cargo and vehicles.
- Problems with real-time fleet tracking and management. If your operational activities are built on satellite monitoring, the use of EW can disrupt all plans and lead to the failure or complication of all fleet-related operations.
How to protect a GPS transport monitoring system from EW?
At the same time, understanding how EW affects GPS monitoring allows prevention of this influence. Today, the following measures are used:
- Backup communication channels for trackers that operate on alternative frequencies not suppressed by EW.
- Solutions that ensure uninterrupted communication even under EW conditions — protected trackers, trackers using not only GPS navigation but also LBS mode — a positioning method via mobile network towers, and trackers with built-in data storage functionality.
- Use of the CAN bus for tracker connection: this enables the collection of accurate data on mileage, fuel consumption, and vehicle operation under signal jamming conditions.
How does ANTENOR protect GPS transport monitoring from EW?
Thanks to its own experience and developments, ANTENOR makes efforts to provide effective solutions against EW influence. In particular, we offer the use of our protected trackers, backup communication channels, including positioning via LBS.
We carefully analyze each client’s activity and implement individual solutions based on forecasts of possible EW impacts, fleet size, transportation distances, and specific company operations. In particular, we introduce additional data encryption for server transmission, use reliable equipment capable of storing data during signal jamming, and assist with setting up alternative communication channels. Another critical part of our work is training personnel not only in the use of software and trackers but also in understanding how EW affects GPS and what emergency measures can be applied to restore communication with vehicles affected by EW.
The importance of EW protection for transport and logistics security
For more than three years, the entire country has been living under wartime conditions and martial law, so wartime realities have had to be adapted into routine processes. We cannot give up the use of EW for the sake of carefree satellite transport monitoring, as this is a guarantee of our protection and the protection of the country. However, we can reduce the risks of EW impact on GPS and choose worthy alternatives. If your activity is related to transport operations within an EW zone, you do not need to abandon control over your vehicles.It is better to contact ANTENOR, the developer of unique and effective solutions in the field of GPS monitoring. We will help you select alternative communication channels for your trackers and the right equipment for operation within EW zones, implement the best protection protocols, and always be there to provide professional technical support for the most accurate operation of your tracking systems.