TCI Model 903S Portable COMINT System setup procedure

Summary

The video demonstrates the setup and operation of the TCI Model 903S with the Blackbird NextGen user interface. The process begins with placing the RDFF processor and antenna, connecting cables, and launching the client application on a laptop. The server initializes automatically, and the client connects once ready. The script showcases how to survey a range, including the 900 MHz ISM band, using a frequency-agile handheld radio. It also illustrates how to use the spectrogram and map display to filter and track signals of interest, with the ability to apply and remove filters easily for a clear visual representation of relevant signals.

Takeaways

• 📡 Set up the TCI Model 903S at a convenient location by placing the RDFF processor and antenna on a bench.
• 🔌 Connect the cable between the RDFF processor and the antenna, and a line cable to the laptop controller.
• 💡 The RDFF processor can be turned on or off with a single button press.
• 🚀 The Blackbird NextGen client application is set to auto-launch when the laptop finishes booting.
• ⏱️ Allow half a minute for the Blackbird NextGen server to initialize before it can accept a connection.
• 🔗 Once the server is ready, the client automatically connects.
• 📶 The 903S is configured to survey a range including the 900 MHz ISM band, with signals predominantly from a nearby Naval Air Station.
• 📱 A simple frequency-agile 900 MHz ISM band handheld radio is used for demonstration, showing signals on the spectrogram when keyed.
• 📐 Zooming in on the spectrogram allows for a focused view of specific signals and bearings.
• 🔍 A preset detector named '4JL' is created to filter signals based on bandwidth and duration, simplifying the display to only those of interest.
• ⏳ The display can show historical data, going back up to two minutes to review past transmissions.
• 🗺️ The map view can have filters applied to show only signals of interest, and these filters can be easily removed or reapplied.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video script?

The purpose of the video script is to demonstrate how to set up the TCI Model 903S and use the Blackbird NextGen user interface, including the process of setting up equipment and utilizing the software for signal surveillance.

Where is the TCI Model 903S being set up in the example?

In the example provided, the TCI Model 903S is being set up at a convenient park.

What is the first step in setting up the TCI Model 903S?

The first step is to place the RDFF processor on the bench seat and then place the antenna on the bench.

How is the connection between the RDFF processor and the antenna established?

The connection is established by connecting a cable between the RDFF processor and the antenna.

What is the power control method for the RDFF processor?

The RDFF processor can be turned on or off with a single button press.

What is the next step after connecting the RDFF processor to the antenna?

The next step is to connect a line cable to the RDFF processor and run it to the laptop controller.

How is the Blackbird NextGen client application set to operate on the laptop?

The Blackbird NextGen client application is set to auto-launch when the laptop is finished booting.

What does the Blackbird NextGen server do after the client application is launched?

The Blackbird NextGen server takes about half a minute to finish initializing and be ready to accept a connection.

What band is the TCI Model 903S configured to survey in the script example?

The TCI Model 903S is configured to survey a range that includes the 900 megahertz ISM band.

How does the Blackbird NextGen client application display signals when it first comes up?

The Blackbird NextGen client application is set to show the map display when it first comes up, showing signals in the surveyed band.

What is the effect of creating a preset detector in the Blackbird NextGen software?

Creating a preset detector filters the spectrogram display to only show signals that meet the criteria set in the detector, and it also removes all bearings from the map except those that meet the criteria.

How can you view signals from a specific time period in the Blackbird NextGen software?

You can change the time period for display to go back a certain number of minutes, allowing you to see transmissions made within that timeframe.

What happens when you switch back to the map view after applying a filter?

When you switch back to the map view after applying a filter, the filter is applied to all missions, displaying only the signals of interest.

How can you remove a filter that has been applied in the Blackbird NextGen software?

To remove a filter, you can click on the Internet Explorer-like back button, which will show all signals unfiltered in both the spectrum and map views.

How do you reapply a filter in the Blackbird NextGen software?

Reapplying a filter is as simple as clicking the forward button, which updates both the spectrum and map displays accordingly.

Outlines

00:00

📡 Setting Up the TCI Model 903S

The video script begins with a demonstration of setting up the TCI Model 903S at a park. The presenter places the RDFF processor on a bench seat, followed by the antenna, and connects the cable between them. The RDFF processor is easily turned on and off with a single button press. A line cable is then connected to the RDFF processor and run to a laptop controller, which also turns on with a single button press. The Blackbird NextGen client application is set to auto-launch upon the laptop's boot completion, and it takes about half a minute for the server to initialize and accept a connection. Once ready, the client connects automatically, and the server continues its previous task, in this case, surveying the 900 MHz ISM band.

Keywords

💡TCI Model 903S

The TCI Model 903S is a device used in the video for signal detection and analysis. It is a type of equipment that is likely used in surveillance or communication technology. In the context of the video, it is set up in a park for demonstration purposes, indicating its portability and practical use in field settings.

💡Blackbird NextGen User Interface

The Blackbird NextGen User Interface is a software application that provides a graphical interface for controlling and monitoring the TCI Model 903S. It is designed to be user-friendly and is mentioned to auto-launch upon the laptop's boot-up, suggesting its integration with the hardware for ease of use.

💡RFDF Processor

The RDFF Processor is a component of the TCI Model 903S system, which is responsible for processing radio frequency data. It is mentioned to be connected to the antenna and the laptop controller, indicating its role as a central hub in the setup.

💡Antenna

The antenna is a critical part of the TCI Model 903S setup, used to receive and transmit radio signals. In the video, it is placed on a bench and connected to the RDFF processor, highlighting its importance in the signal detection process.

💡Signal Survey

A signal survey refers to the process of scanning a range of frequencies to detect and analyze radio signals. In the video, the TCI Model 903S is configured to survey the 900 megahertz ISM band, which includes signals predominantly from a nearby naval air station.

💡Spectrogram

A spectrogram is a visual representation of the spectrum of frequencies as they vary over time. In the video, the Blackbird NextGen client displays a scrolling spectrogram that shows the frequency and nature of the detected radio signals, allowing the user to observe signal patterns and characteristics.

💡Frequency Agile Radio

A frequency agile radio is a handheld device capable of tuning to different frequencies quickly. In the video, such a radio operating in the 900 megahertz ISM band is used to demonstrate how the TCI Model 903S can detect and display signals from this type of radio.

💡Signal Bandwidth

Signal bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies that a signal occupies. In the context of the video, the bandwidth is used as a criterion in the detector settings to filter out signals that do not match the desired characteristics of the handheld radio.

💡Signal Duration

Signal duration is the length of time a signal is transmitted or received. It is another parameter used in the detector settings to filter signals, ensuring that only those signals that meet a certain duration criteria are displayed on the spectrogram and map.

💡Map Display

The map display is a feature of the Blackbird NextGen client that visually represents the direction and location of detected signals. In the video, bearings to signals are shown on the map, allowing the user to see the source direction of the transmissions.

💡Detector Presets

Detector presets are pre-configured settings within the Blackbird NextGen client that describe the characteristics of signals of interest. In the video, a preset called '4JL' is created to filter signals based on bandwidth and duration, demonstrating the system's ability to customize signal detection.

Highlights

Setting up TCI Model 903S with Blackbird NextGen UI at a park.

RFID processor and antenna placement on a bench seat.

Connecting the cable between RFID processor and antenna.

Single button operation for turning on RFID processor.

Connecting a line cable to the RFID processor and laptop controller.

Laptop controller and Blackbird NextGen client auto-launch setup.

Blackbird NextGen server initialization and auto-connection.

903S configured to survey 900 MHz ISM band.

Map display showing signals predominantly from Naval Air Station.

Frequency agile 900 MHz ISM band handheld radio demonstration.

Visualizing radio signals and bearings on the spectrogram.

Zooming in on emissions for signal analysis.

Setting a preset detector for specific signal types.

Filtering signals based on detector criteria on the spectrogram.

Viewing past transmissions with a two-minute time period display.

Applying and removing signal filters with forward and back buttons.

Reapplying filters to update spectrum and map displays.

Transcripts

welcome to this short ease of use

example

of setting up the tci model 903s and use

of the blackbird nextgen user interface

for this example i am setting up the

903s at a convenient park

first i place the rfdf processor on the

bench seat and then placed the antenna

on the bench

after which i connected the cable

between the rfdf processor and the

antenna

and turned on the rfdf processor note

that turning the rfdf processor either

on or off requires just a single button

press

i then connected a line cable to the

rfdf processor

and ran it to the laptop controller i

then simply turned on the laptop

controller

again a single button press i have set

the blackbird next gen client

application to auto launch when the

laptop is finished booting

after the blackbird nextgen client

application is launched it takes a

further

half minute for the blackbird next gen

server to finish initializing

and be ready to accept a connection when

the server is ready

the client automatically connects once

the blackbird nextgen server has

finished initializing

it continues running whatever task it

was running when it was shut down

in this case i had the 903s configured

to survey a range that includes the 900

megahertz

ism band i have the blackbird nextgen

client set to show

the map display when it first comes up

you can see that there are a number of

signals in the band that i am surveying

predominantly from the naval air station

to the north east

i have with me a simple frequency agile

900 megahertz ism band handheld radio

when i key the radio you can see the

lines are bearing to my location toward

the north northeast

i can also clearly see the frequency

helping nature of this radio

on the scrolling spectrogram if i zoom

to this set of emissions

you can see that the map display now

only shows bearings to those signals to

which i have zoomed on the spectrogram

display

rather than zooming a simpler approach

would have been to have set a preset

detector for this type of signal

in which i am interested i have created

one called 4jl

this simple detector describes the

signal in terms of signal bandwidth and

signal duration

the effect of the detector is to filter

from the spectrogram display

any signal that does not meet the

criteria in the detector

which also removes all the bearings from

the map except those that meet the

criteria for this particular handheld

radio

here i have changed the time period for

display to go back two minutes

so now i can see the transmission i made

about a minute and a half ago

as well as the one that i just made

about 30 seconds ago

when i switch back to the map view you

can see that the filter has been applied

to all the missions

so that only my signal of interest is

displayed

if i simply click on the internet

explorer like back button

the filter that i applied is removed and

i can see all signals

unfiltered in both the spectrum and map

views

reapplying the filter is as simple as

clicking the forward button

which updates the spectrum and map

displays accordingly

you