Defending the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Custom Drone IDS
Jason Whelan presents custom Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) for UAVs, detecting real-time GPS spoofing, signal jamming, and unauthorized telecommands.
Summary
The Inherent Vulnerabilities of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) rely heavily on unencrypted, unauthenticated wireless signals—including GPS for positioning, ADS-B for collision avoidance, and RF telemetry for C2.
Low-Cost Attacks on Drone Navigation and Control
Jason Whelan reviews practical attack vectors executed using inexpensive software-defined radios (SDRs), covering GPS spoofing, telemetry jamming, and deauthentication.
Designing an Onboard Lightweight Drone IDS
Whelan introduces a lightweight onboard intrusion detection system that correlates flight controller sensor telemetry (IMU, barometer) with incoming GPS signals.
Real-Time Anomaly Detection and Fail-Safe Rerouting
The author demonstrates how the IDS detects navigation manipulation in real time, triggering automated fail-safe return-to-home routines upon detecting GPS spoofing.
Related talks
Aerospace Village·26 min
Allan Tart
Allan Tart demonstrates combining crowdsourced ADS-B telemetry and VHF air traffic control voice feeds to construct comprehensive real-time flight profiles.
Main Stage·41 min
David Melendez · Gabriela Garcia
Explores implementing low-cost frequency-hopping spread spectrum algorithms on DIY and consumer drones to resist RF jamming and anti-drone interception.
Main Stage·38 min
Chris Rock
Chris Rock investigates commercial and military Electronic Counter Measures (ECMs), demonstrating the physical and operational impacts of weapons-grade RF jammers.