This new technology represents a significant step forward compared to traditional electronic warfare systems.
To understand how it works, imagine a storm. Everything inside it is shaken by strong electromagnetic noise. But in the center of the hurricane, which is colloquially called the "eye of the storm," there is complete calm. The new technology deliberately creates an "eye of the storm" for friendly forces even in the face of aggressive electronic warfare.
The innovation works on coordinated drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) that act as precise sources of interference. These drones emit carefully selected radio signals that can be adjusted in shape, amplitude, phase and time (all these parameters of the RF signal can be controlled).
The dual function, which allows simultaneous jamming of enemy devices and communication with allies, is implemented using two drones acting together. The first drone acts as the main silencer, neutralizing enemy signals with the help of destabilizing waves. The second drone emits a counter-signal, which neutralizes the jamming wave in the place where the allied forces are operating.
The signals cancel each other out at the intersection point, creating an "eye" or a lull zone. In terms of signal processing, the technology uses beamforming and phase suppression strategies that are commonly used in modern communications systems, but are now being used in electronic warfare as well.
Old traditional electronic jamming systems tend to be omnidirectional, meaning the signal effectively propagates in all directions in three-dimensional space. Such systems are not fussy and overwhelm all vulnerable electronic systems within reach.
These systems are usually somewhat controllable and have relatively low accuracy. More advanced systems, such as the EA-6B Prowler, EA-18G Growler or the Russian Khibiny, use more targeted methods of targeted electronic jamming.
On the other hand, the new Chinese system is able to overcome many of these shortcomings. During the computer simulation, the researchers tested the system in conditions of strong electronic suppression. The suppression signals were 100 times stronger than the target signal (20 dB = 10^2). Despite this, they managed to completely eliminate the interference on the friendly receiver.
"By simulating the interference—signal ratio at 20 dB, electromagnetic interference to the target user can be reduced to zero," the team led by Yang Jian, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, wrote in a peer-reviewed article published in the Chinese journal Acta Electronica Sinica.
If these statements are true, then the achievement is impressive, as it implies extremely precise spatial control of the electromagnetic environment. For military purposes, this would be very useful, as it would allow for a kind of "selective jamming," which would give a huge tactical advantage.
This would allow for safe operations in restricted access areas (for example, in areas where GPS is prohibited). Such a system would also transform electronic warfare from a crude tool into a surgical one.
