Bird SH-60S-AOA – Handheld Spectrum Analyzer with Angle of Arrival (AOA) Technology (9 kHz to 6 GHz)

• Defeat RF interference with the SH-60S-AOA
• Triangulate the location of an interferer on a map for signals between 9 kHz and 6 GHz
• Easily pinpoint potential in-band interferers, rogue broadcast locations and dead spots
• Angle of arrival technology (AOA) enables personnel to easily triangulate the source of the problem
• Highly portable, handheld device can be easily brought into remote areas

The Bird SH-60S-AOA provides the ability to triangulate the location of an interferer on a map for signals between 9 kHz and 6 GHz. Integrating digital maps, GPS location and signal strength vectoring, the SignalHawk AOA provides an easy-to-use interface to pinpoint potential in-band interferers, “rogue” broadcast locations and dead spots.

Field engineers, technicians, wireless equipment manufacturers, service providers, contractors, and military personnel can triangulate the source of an interferer by utilizing Bird’s AOA (Angle of Arrival) technology. Being highly portable enables the user to go remote locations to accurately pinpoint the signal origination. In today’s crowded RF spectrum, this cutting edge technology can quickly and efficiently stop unwanted, accidental or prohibited interface that can degrade RF communication or completely disrupt signal quality and system performance.

Understanding AOA and triangulation

AOA stands for “Angle of Arrival”, also known as automatic direction finding. It is the direction from which an RF Signal is received and is used to discover the location of an interfering signal, such as an unlicensed radio transmission, or other types of generators, producing RF signals disrupting lawful transmissions.

AOA measurement locates and senses the direction of the arriving transmitting signal, then calculates the relative orientation or angle.

AOA uses a technique called Triangulation, where a signal strength sample is recorded in different locations, and the position is marked on a map, forming a triangle. A minimum of three or more samples, or Vectors, are recorded, and where they intersect, the interfering signal is found.

For more information on AoA and triangulation, please see the document linked here.

Bird offers two versions of its 6GHz Signal Hawk, the SH-60S-TC and the SH-60S-AOA. These two devices are very similar, however, the SH-60S-AOA also provides the ability to triangulate the location of an interferer on a map. The SH-60S-AOA integrates digital maps, GPS location, and signal strength vectoring on an easy-to-use interface to pinpoint potential in-band interferers, rogue broadcast locations, and dead spots.

The chart below provides an overview of pre-defined measurements for both.