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Anatomy of a "signal generator":
Generally, "jammers" — which are also commonly called signal blockers, GPS jammers, cell phone jammers, wifi jammers, etc. are radio frequency transmitters that are designed to block, jam, or otherwise interfere with radio communications.
A jammer can block radio communications on devices that operates on a given radio frequencies within its range (i.e., within a certain distance of the jammer) by emitting a noise radio carrier. A GPS jammer generates a 1575.42 Mhz interference to prevent your GPS unit from receiving correct positioning signals. The GPS jammer is typically a small, self-contained, battery powered and transmit signal over a small radius. Though illegal to use, these low-tech devices can be bought on the internet for as little as $25. Since they can block devices that record a vehicle's movements, they're popular with truck drivers who don't want an electronic spy in their cabs. They can also block GPS-based road tolls that are levied via an on-board receiver. GPS jamming technology will also disable autopilot in drones to protect individuals' privacy.
In the US federal law prohibits the sale or use of a transmitter (e.g., a jammer) designed to block, jam, or interfere with wireless communications. For this reason some jammer retailers now label jammers as "signal generator kit" so it will just slip through customs and them is to purchaser sole responsibility for ensuring that the operation complies with the applicable laws. One of these "GPS signal generator kit" is the Dealextreme QH-1 Professional GPS Signal Generator Module (It seems that the QH-1 GPS jammer ran out of stock and will not be manufactured anymore, but you can still find HJ-3A GPS and cell phone jammer.). I've always wondered what's inside these jammers, given their cost, so i purchased one "signal generator module" and put under test with RF laboratory equiment, disassembled and photographed them for all to enjoy.
But is it cheaper than tinfoil?
[Ed note: typos and grammatical errors copied from source document, intact. Also note that it is illegal to operate one of these jammers in the US.]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 03 2017, @02:21AM (2 children)
Maybe the earlier data was spoofed and the new data is valid. The computer can't tell, and it's funny that you think the main issue is the visa status of the programmers.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 03 2017, @02:48PM
"Maybe the earlier data was spoofed and the new data is valid. The computer can't tell, and it's funny that you think the main issue is the visa status of the programmers."
If you get a position via GPS that is 1000 miles away from your last position you received 1 second ago, what do you think is more likely:
1) That the object actually moved 1000 miles in one second
2) the GPS data, while valid, is incorrect, and should be tossed.
Only an idiot of a programmer would think "Oh yeah, that is obviously valid" (unless of course, you are working on something actually capable of jumping 1000 miles in a second, in which case either you are most likely working in Area 51)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 05 2017, @04:17AM
yeah, he thinks software engineering qualifies one to become an authority on instrumentation engineering. Only an idiot instrumentation engineer would think he should override the data his instruments are providing because "it doesn't seem right"... the fool can't even recognize that a consumer GPS device is a precision instrument whose job is to translate time signals into a global position.. not to differentiate between real and fake satellite signals.
And notice that he doesn't provide a solution to the problem - because there isn't one - if the signal shows that position shifted 500 miles in 30 seconds, then what does he think the GPS device should show? a calculated position based on previous heading and speed? What if his vehicle went around a curve or slowed or stopped? And how long should it continue showing data that is divergent from the signal being received? There are many other scenarios where this clown's "logic" would divorce what is displayed on the screen from what is being received by the instrumentation. Which is a recipe for disaster.
Luckily for us those "h1-b" programmers actually know their job, what their devices need to do and are capable of. Unlike this moron who lacks even the basic ability to differentiate between a hammer (GPS) and a screwdriver (fake satellite signal detector or reality detector aka actual position detector) and thinks they are both the same tool! And he calls the gps engineers brain dead...