Passive RF Detection Tool

RF Detection Coverage Planner

Estimate passive drone RF detection coverage from public signal references, receiver sensitivity, antenna gain, site geometry, radio horizon, and environmental loss. The model is intended for lawful engineering planning and early site design.

Input data

Uses 92+ public drone RF profiles or a custom emitter reference.

Model scope

Combines free-space link budget, site loss, margin, and radio horizon constraints.

Privacy

Runs fully client-side. Scenario inputs are not sent to CounterUAVHub servers.

This planner does not identify drones, control RF systems, or provide operational countermeasure instructions. Treat the output as a first-order coverage estimate and validate it with spectrum surveys, controlled tests, local regulations, and site-specific engineering review.

Signal Source

Drone model preset

Emission type

Frequency presets

Frequency (MHz)

Reference EIRP (dBm)

Occupied / analysis BW (MHz)

Use 10/20/40 MHz for DJI O3/O3+ planning; official model pages may not publish channel bandwidth.

RF Sensor and Site Geometry

Receiver sensitivity (dBm)

Receiver antenna gain (dBi)

Cable / system loss (dB)

Required margin (dB)

Environment loss (dB)

Target radius (km)

Sensor height (m)

Emitter height (m)

Sensor count

Overlap factor

Coverage Result

Effective radius: 2.23 km

Based on control link reference at 2400 MHz, 20 MHz occupied / analysis bandwidth, and a required margin of 6 dB.

Low confidence

Link-budget range

2.23 km

Radio horizon

47.0 km

Target margin

0.9 dB

Includes 0.0 dB bandwidth allowance

Limiting factor

Sensitivity-limited

Single-sensor area

15.6 km²

Multi-sensor area

11.7 km²

Received power at effective radius

-89.0 dBm

This is a first-order engineering estimate. Passive RF detection depends on active emissions, antenna placement, local noise, terrain, protocol behavior, and receiver implementation. Frequency references alone do not identify a drone or guarantee detection.

Verify site noise floor with spectrum survey data.
Confirm antenna height, pattern, polarization, and feeder loss.
Check official or regulatory references for the selected model.
Validate coverage with controlled field testing before deployment.

Need a simpler range estimate?

Open the original RF Detection Range Calculator.

Review the path-loss baseline

Use FSPL to inspect the propagation model.

Compare drone RF data

Return to the signal database for source details.