Engineering Scope
Moving beyond traditional IP networking, this domain covers the interception, decoding, and analysis of physical RF signals. The projects here bridge the gap between low-level hardware diagnostics and enterprise telemetry gathering.
This section documents my hands-on exploration of the RF spectrum, utilizing Software Defined Radio (SDR) hardware to audit, decode, and map municipal and commercial radio frequency transmissions.
◈ Software Defined Radio (SDR) Deployments
Utilizing USB-based RTL-SDR adapters and specialized antenna arrays, I engineered listening stations capable of monitoring vast swaths of the RF spectrum.
1. Municipal UHF Radio Network Auditing
- Trunked Radio Systems: Configured SDR nodes to track and decode unencrypted P25 Phase I and Motorola Type II SmartNet trunked radio systems used by local municipal services.
- SDRTrunk & Unitrunker: Deployed Java and Windows-based telemetry software to automatically follow control channels, seamlessly stitching together voice traffic across dynamically assigned frequencies.
2. ADS-B Aircraft Telemetry
- Flight Tracking: Engineered dedicated Raspberry Pi nodes equipped with 1090MHz antennas and RTL-SDR dongles to capture ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) beacons from commercial aircraft.
- Data Aggregation: Parsed the raw hexadecimal telemetry into usable JSON data, feeding it into local databases to map real-time overhead flight paths independently of internet-based tracking services.
◈ Hardware & Electronics Diagnostics
My background originated in physical electronic component repair, which fundamentally shapes how I approach high-level systems architecture today.
- Component-Level Repair: Extensive experience diagnosing and replacing capacitors, ICs, and surface-mount components on PCB boards.
- Physical Access Control: Auditing and configuring legacy RFID and physical badge access systems, identifying vulnerabilities in unencrypted low-frequency (125kHz) card protocols.
◈ The Hardware-to-Software Bridge
Understanding the physical limitations of hardware (such as heat dissipation on a CPU, read/write limits on NAND flash, or signal-to-noise ratios on an antenna) allows for the creation of far more resilient software and infrastructure. This hands-on RF and hardware experience directly informs my zero-trust architectures and storage tiering protocols.
🔗 Related Architecture & Knowledge Graph
- Production Systems: Validated in ADSB Aviation SDR Telemetry Pipeline, OpenThread Border Router.
- Governance & Compliance: Governed by Building Security Policy.
- Technical Articles: Deep dive in Bare Metal Diagnostics Lessons.
- Applied Research: Investigated in Tools and Telemetry.
- Master Credentials: Review core competencies on Curriculum Vitae & Master Resume.
- Digital Garden Hub: Return to the main Digital Garden Index.