SAR Drone ─ Radio Direction Finder

SAR Radio Detection Finder compatible with multiple SAR Drone platforms 

Designed for all types of rural Search and Rescue (SAR) missions

SAR Drone ► Radio Direction Finder (RDF)

Because in today’s world, almost everyone carries at least one wireless wearable device that frequently transmits signals.

By integrating the X•SAR Radio Direction Finder (RDF), a SAR drone can detect and locate signals from nearby devices — whether transmitted via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular Devices (2G, 4G, 5G), or RF Emergency Locator Beacons — helping teams quickly identify and locate missing persons even in challenging environments.

Because in today’s world, almost everyone carries at least one wireless wearable device that frequently transmits signals.

The X•SAR Drone is developed as an add-on for SAR drone cameras, this system minimizes blind spots and greatly enhances situational awareness during search and rescue missions.

Various methods of deploying the X•SAR Drone ─ Radio Direction Finder

1)   Long-Range Radio Direction Finding (RDF) ►►

  • In this mode, the system utilizes forward-facing directional antennas (►►) to measure the signal strength of preset frequencies within a focused 45°–90° field of view.   This configuration enhances directional situational awareness, allowing operators to pinpoint signal sources more precisely over long distances.

2)   Short-Range Radio Direction Finder (RDF) ▼▼

  • In this mode, the system employs downward-facing directional antennas (▼▼) to measure signal strength across preset frequencies within a focused 45° field of view.   This configuration enables operators to fly systematic search lines over the ground, scanning for wireless signals emitted by lost persons’ wearables, beacons, or mobile phones — effectively locating the area of highest signal strength.

3)   Short-Range Radio Detection Finder (BLE + Wi-Fi) ▼▼

  • The system passively detects wireless wearables and mobile devices, capturing attributes such as the device name (e.g., “Jean’s iPhone”) to enhance situational awareness and confirmation.   In this mode, the system employs downward-facing directional antennas (▼▼) to scan a focused 45° to 60° field of view while flying systematic search lines over the ground.

X•SAR WIFI + BLE Drone Detection Finder

 

This lightweight system is a highly directional system, that allows drones to scan for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Devices from the Air, with the directional antennas it has a 45 to 70 degrees detection angle.

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X•SAR Full Radio Drone Detection Finder

In comparison with the ruggedized Wi-Fi + BLE system, we have here presenting the Full Range Radio Detection Finder that allow drones to scan for the entire frequency range in high-speed, in combination with Wi-Fi and BLE.

With the directional antennas it has a 50 to 90 degrees detection angle.

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SAR Drone ► Radio Direction Finder

Wi-Fi and BLE (Bluetooth) ─ Radio Direction Finder

  • Width:   15 cm
  • Length:   21 cm
  • Height:   9 cm
  • Weight system:   500 gram
  • Incl. Power bank:   1 KG, 4 hrs operational
  • Ingress Protection:   IP55 (rain, dust, snow resistant)
  • Operating temps:   –10°C to 50°C (14°F to 122°F)
  • Antennas:   2 external directional Flat antennas
  • Direction:   ± 45 degrees directional antenna
  • USB Ports:   2 x for long-range directional antennas
  • USB-C:   Charging point, for hot swapping power
  • Ethernet:   Optional for external Sat-Com Modem
  • Connectivity:   Long-Range Wi-Fi, Cellular, Sat-Com

Wi-Fi and BLE (Bluetooth) System Operations:

  • Operational Range:   Wi-Fi > 100 m. → 1.500 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength + Packages
    • Processing: MAC Addresses + Device Identities
  • Operational Range:   BLE > 10 m. → 75 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength + Packages
    • Processing: MAC Addresses + Device Identities
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View here the Search and Rescue X•SAR UAV / Drone Brochure

Full Range (100 MHz ► 6,000 MHz) ─ Radio Direction Finder

  • Width:   20 cm
  • Length:   30 cm
  • Height:   9 cm
  • Weight system:   900 gram  (+ external antennas)
  • Incl. Power bank:   1.5 KG, 2 > 3 hrs operational
  • Ingress Protection:   IP55 (rain, dust, snow resistant)
  • Operating temps:   –10°C to 50°C (14°F to 122°F)
  • Antennas:   4 external directional Yagi antennas
  • Direction:   ± 50 > 90 degrees directional antenna
  • USB Ports:   Possible to add upon request
  • USB-C:   Charging point, for hot swapping power
  • Ethernet:   Optional for external Sat-Com Modem
  • Connectivity:   Long-Range Wi-Fi, Cellular, Sat-Com

Full Range Radio System Operations:

  • Supporting 100 MHz to 6,000 MHz (6 GHz)
    • Frequency Type can be selected easily from a tablet
    • Range is depending on environment and configurations
    • Depending on the mission; antennas can be swapped
  • Operational Range: Cellular > 500 m → 3.000 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength
    • Supporting: 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
  • Operational Range: Radio Transmitters > 500 m → 2.000 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength
    • Supporting: Push-To-Talk, Emergency Locator Beacons, PLB’s
  • Operational Range:   Wi-Fi > 100 m. to 1.500 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength + Packages
    • Processing: MAC Addresses + Device Identities
  • Operational Range:   Wi-Fi > 10 m. to 75 m.
    • Receiving: Signal Strength + Packages
    • Processing: MAC Addresses + Device Identities