Communications security

DARPA cleans up radio spectrum

DARPA has devised a device that reduces interference with radio and radar.

The agency has developed a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC). "ADCs convert physical data—that is, analog data—on the spectrum into numbers that a digital computer can analyze and manipulate, an important capability for understanding and adapting to dynamic EM [electromagnetic] environments," said a DARPA news release. "Today’s ADCs, however, only process data within a limited portion of the spectrum at a given time. As a result, they can temporarily overlook critical information about radar, jamming, communications, and other potentially problematic EM signals."