Passive detection of aircraft utilising shadowing techniques

This paper introduces the possibility of passively detecting aircraft, based on the radiation shadows cast by targets illuminated by non-dedicated satellite borne transmitters (e.g. GPS, LEOs communication satellites). Various aspects of the system are considered, from frequency selection based on diffraction, to power considerations for the signals involved. The effect of the sea surface is also taken into consideration, and preliminary conclusions about modelling techniques are given.