Detection of Unauthorized Transmission in a Frequency Spectrum using Wireless Sensor Network

In the dawn of innovation in which technology interconnects the machine and user to more intentional levels than ever before, security of interconnected technology must be harnessed in order to ensure confidentiality of the consumer’s information in addition to the protection of device performance. A transmitter could be used to maliciously emit an unauthorized signal in order to gain access to sensitive information or control over a device. In order to prevent such an attack, a wireless detector should be implemented to warn a user of malicious activity. The detector is comprised of a mesh network of multiple sensors and is required to scan a frequency spectrum. When an unauthorized signal is detected, the user must be alerted. Each sensor is comprised of three main components: a software-defined radio, a Raspberry Pi, and an XBee device. The software defined radio is used to scan a given FM spectrum for signals. The Raspberry Pi is used to connect the SDR (software-defined radio) to the XBee device. Once the Raspberry Pi device receives information, it relays that information to the XBee. The purpose of the XBee is to wirelessly connect each node to a main fusion center. The fusion center is where data processing and detection takes place. Additionally, the fusion center displays information through a user-interface and alerts the user when an unauthorized transmission is detected.B.S. (Bachelor of Science