Effect of Spoofing on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle using Counterfeited GPS Signal

Abstract

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) including Global Positioning System (GPS) is an important element for navigation of both the military and civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Contrary to the military UAVs, the civil UAVs use the civil signals which are unencrypted, unauthenticated and predictable. Therefore if the civil signals are counterfeited, the civil UAV’s position can be manipulated and the appropriate movement of the civil UAV to the target point is not achieved. In this paper, spoofing on the autonomous navigation UAV is implemented through field experiments. Although the demanded conditions for appropriate spoofing attack exists, satisfying the conditions is restricted in real environments. So, the Way-point of the UAV is assumed to be known for experiments and assessments. Under the circumstances, GPS spoofing signal is generated based on the Software-based GNSS signal generator. The signal is emitted to the target UAV using the antenna of the spoofer and the effect of the signal is analyzed and evaluated. In conclusion, taking the UAV to the target point is hardly feasible. To implement the spoofing as expectation, the position and guidance system of the UAV has to be known. Additionally, the GPS receiver on the UAV could be checked whether it appropriately tracks the spoofing signal or not. However, the effect of the spoofing signal on the autonomous UAV has been verified and assessed through the experimental results. Spoofing signal affects the navigation system of the UAV so that the UAV goes off course or shows an abnormal operation.