Capture of UAVs through GPS spoofing using low-cost SDR platforms

Abstract

The increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones, by civilians has grown exponentially and their autonomous flight control systems have improved significantly, which has resulted in a greater number of accidents and dangerous situations. To help resolve this problem, in this paper, we address the use of low-cost Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms for simulating a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), more specifically the global positioning system (GPS), in order to transmit false signals and induce a location error on the targeted GPS receiver. Using this approach, a defensive system can be implemented which can divert, or even take control of unauthorized UAVs whose flight path depends on the information obtained by the GPS system.