Passive Radar - Typical Illuminators

Typical Illuminators

Passive radar systems have been developed that exploit the following sources of illumination:

• Analog television signals
• FM radio signals
• Cellular phone base stations
• Digital audio broadcasting
• Digital video broadcasting
• Terrestrial High-definition television transmitters in North America

Satellite signals have generally been found to be inadequate for passive radar use: either because the powers are too low, or because the orbits of the satellites are such that illumination is too infrequent. The possible exception to this is the exploitation of satellite-based radar and satellite radio systems. In 2011, researchers Barott and Butka from Embry-riddle Aeronautical University announced results claiming success using XM Radio to detect aircraft with a low-cost ground station.