Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Training Bootcamp | SIGINT Training Course

Length: 3-5 Days

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Training Bootcamp

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) is a broad discipline, and can include intelligence collection from various
means including communications intelligence (COMMINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), Radar and
electronic warfare (EW).

SIGINT systems gather information from adversaries’ electronic signals. Analysts then evaluate this raw
data from foreign communication systems, radars and weapon systems, and transform it into actionable
intelligence. The information generated by these systems offers insight into adversaries’ actions,
capabilities, and intentions before they are carried out.

The origins of SIGINT can be traced back to the first world war when British forces began intercepting
German radio communications to gain intelligence about their plans. This led to the use of cryptography
to conceal the content of radio transmissions, and as such, cryptanalysis became an integral part of
SIGINT as well.

But as electronic warfare and wireless technology has evolved, so have approaches to signals
intelligence. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI), for example, have greatly improved
communications planning and SIGINT capabilities. An automated algorithm detects and identifies signals
in sensor data much faster than a highly trained operator.

Signal detection from massive amounts of stored data is like searching for a needle in a haystack. An
operator controlled autonomous agent finds incoming signals, automatically determine signal type, and
provides an analyst with reasons why a determination was made.

Algorithms help SIGNET systems automates the low-level detection and classification tasks. This frees up
military personnel to focus on higher level tactical decision making. This way, the system becomes
another team member, with a supervising human in the loop to authorize the appropriate military
response.

In addition, through SIGNET automation, a commander can gain an “EM signature picture” of his forces
as they are arrayed in the battlespace. This way, he can glean valuable information on his own EM
signature and use that information to improve or implement additional passive and active actions to
increase survivability.

The responsibilities of a signals intelligence (SIGINT) analyst include examining foreign communications
and activity and collating the information by compiling reports on combat, strategy and tactical
intelligence, to support Special Operations Task Force and other government agencies.
Using advanced equipment, the SIGINT analyst analyzes intercepted messages and organizes relevant
information, identifies operational patterns, and notifies commanders of unusual activity so they can
respond appropriately. Other duties include maintaining databases and assisting with placing,
camouflaging and retrieving surveillance systems.

Opportunities in this type of position are most prevalent in the military including the Army, Air Force
and the Navy, but there are positions available outside the military as well, such as with technology
companies that work with law enforcement and counterintelligence agencies.

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Training Bootcamp

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Training Bootcamp is a 3-day training course covering all aspects of Signals
Intelligence (SIGINT) including Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)
and Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT).

Advanced Network Characterization (ANC), Digital Land Mobile Communication (DLMC), 4G/5G, WiFi,
IoT, SATCOM, Radar, UHV/VHF/H, microwave, mmWave and optical signals utilizing the latest
technologies and methodologies in the SIGINT field are discussed.

SIGINT involves collecting intelligence from communications and information systems to help protect
troops and military operations, national security, fight terrorism, combat international crime and
narcotics, support diplomatic negotiations, support allies, and advance many other important national
objectives.

Participants will learn about SIGINT and tools to collect SIGINT from various sources, including foreign
communications, satellite/space, commercial communication systems, mobile networks, radar and
other electronic and communication systems. The instructors will show you what to collect, and how to
process, analyze, produce, and disseminate Signals Intelligence information and data for intelligence and
counterintelligence purposes.
Participants will also learn about advanced techniques and algorithms for collection, network
characterization, and analysis across the Radio Frequency Spectrum for the purpose of supporting Find,
Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze and Disseminate (F3EAD).

Communication is an important part of everyday life — especially when it comes to leading a country.
World leaders communicate with their people in a variety of ways. All of these forms of communication
emit a signal that can be collected. The information gathered from these intercepted signals is of vital
importance to national security.

Learning Objectives

After completing the SIGINT training bootcamp, participants will:

 Discuss the basic and advanced SIGINT principles

 Discuss strategies for safeguarding SIGINT approaches
 Define the roles and responsibilities that support SIGINT environments
 Conduct gap analysis between SIGINT baseline and best practices
 Get familiar with RF theory, antenna principles, antenna types and characteristics
 Tools to predict system performance via link budgets and detection theory.
 Learn about Interferometers and adaptive digital beamforming
 Evaluate detection concepts and principles of link budgets
 Describe principles behind emitter geolocation techniques
 Evaluate and implement advanced signal processing techniques
 Analyze, assess, and optimize propagation effects and models for challenging environments
 Integrate receiver architectures and modern digital signal processing hardware/software
 Explain principles behind Software Defined Radio (SDR)
 Evaluate and implement the security controls necessary to ensure confidentiality, integrity and
availability (CIA) in SIGINT environments

Who Should Attend

SIGINT training course is designed for hardware and software engineers, analysts, scientists, project
managers, military intelligence professionals, and anyone else who wants to learn about the SIGINT.

Course Structure

This 3-day interactive SIGINT Training Course is structured with a mix of lectures, class discussions,
workshops and hands-on exercises led by highly knowledgeable and engaging instructors.

Course Agenda and Topics

SIGINT 101

What is signals intelligence (SIGINT)?

 What is signals intelligence (SIGINT)?

 Principles behind Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
 ISR missions
 ISR intelligence architectures
  Component of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications
 Image intelligence (IMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and measurement and signatures
intelligence (MASINT) collection systems
 Collection and exploitation of signals transmitted from various communication systems, radars,
and weapon systems
 Technical definitions
 Targeting
 Intercept management
 Signal detection
 Traffic analysis
 Electronic order of battle
 Communications intelligence
 Electronic signals intelligence
 SIGINT and MASINT
 SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW)

Elements of SIGINT

 Communications Intelligence (COMINT)

 Technical and intelligence information derived from intercept of foreign communications
 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)
 Information collected from systems such as radars and other weapons systems
 Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT)
 Signals detected from weapons under testing and development
 Principles behind Geolocation,
 Parameters of receiver platforms, measurement types
 Requirements for data links and timing sources
 Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in SIGINT

The Fundamentals of Signal Analysis

 The Time, Frequency and Modal Domains

 Principles behind Time Domain
 Principles behind Frequency Domain
 Instrumentation
 Dynamic Signal Analysis
 FFT Properties
 Sampling and Digitizing
 Aliasing
 Band Selectable Analysis
 Windowing
 Network Stimulus
 Averaging
 Real Time Bandwidth
 Overlap Processing
 Dynamic Signal Analyzers
  Modal Domain Measurements

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Technical Principles

 SIGINT Capability
 Performance of a SIGINT system
 Algorithm selection
 Software, firmware and hardware architecture
 Propagation analysis and effects
 Emitter characteristics
 Traditional and modern emitter geolocation approaches
 Analytical tools and algorithms to predict accuracy
 Operation in dense signal environments
 Interferometry and automatic modulation classification
 Adversaries’ electronic signals
 Evaluate raw data from foreign communication systems, radars, and weapon systems
 Data transform ion and actionable intelligence
 SIGINT integration with different platforms and UAVs, , manned aircraft, surface vessels, and
ground vehicles
 Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) -hardware
 Open system architecture
 Advanced signal location and exploitation capabilities

SIGINT Operational Planning

 SIGINT organization
 Command and Control (C2) and Operations
 SIGINT roles and responsibilities
 Planning and operations
 Planning responsibilities
 SIGINT organizations structure examples
 Planning consideration
 SIGINT communications
 SIGINT functional planning (using DoDAF views)
 SIGINT Systems Engineering
 SIGINT Concept of Operations (ConOps)
 Enemy Characteristics
 Topography
 Coordination of SIGINT operations
 Planning and direction
 Collection
 Processing and Exploitation
 Production, Dissemination and Utilization

Principles of Collection

 SIGINT collected
 Type of signal targeted Raw SIGINT
  Signals Analysis
 Analyzing electronic signals and communications
 Analyzed SIGINT
 Role of HUMINT
 Translators, cryptologists, analysts, and other technical experts
 Process to turn the raw data into intelligence
 Tools to produce finished intelligence
 The volume and variety of today’s signals
 Challenges to the timely production of finished intelligence
 Track and analyze all the SIGINT collected

Principles of Electronic Intelligence

 Basic math concepts

 Waveforms
 Principles of modulation and coding
 Radar Principles
 Interpulse modulation
 Intrapulse modulation
 Radiation patterns and scan
 Radar types and functions
 Collection anomalies
 Analysis of Radar signals
 Electronic attack
 Digitization and interpretive analysis
 Electronic intelligence (ELINT) analysis techniques
 ELINT applications, strengths and limitations

Advanced Electronic Intelligence

 SIGINT technologies
 The analysis of Radar signals
 Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) and Eb/No considerations for analog and digital Systems
 Signal power
 Polarization (Linear, Circular and Elliptical)
 Beam analysis
 Antenna Scan analysis
 Intrapulse analysis
 Radio Frequency (RF) analysis
 Determining ELINT parameter limits
 Technical ELINT (TechELINT)
 Signal structure, emission characteristics, modes of operation, emitter functions
 Weapons systems associations of such emitters as radars, beacons, jammers, and navigational
signals
 Tools to obtain signal parameters
 Design of radar detection, countermeasure or counterweapons equipment
 Operation of the countermeasures
  Operational ELINT (OpELINT)
 Locating specific ELINT targets
 Determining the operational patterns of the systems
 Electronic Order of Battle (EOB)
 Threat assessments
 Tactical ELINT
 TELINT
 Collection, processing, and reporting of foreign telemetry signals intelligence
 Intelligence information derived from the intercept, processing, and analysis of foreign
telemetry
 Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence

Workshops and Case Studies

1. An approach to UAV-based ELINT

2. Principles of sensor and data fusion in SIGINT
3. Optical imaging satellite data and Electronic Intelligence Satellite data
4. Detection area analysis in ELINT systems
5. A simple ELINT receiver architecture
6. Overview of a conventional warfare ELINT system supporting an unconventional COMINT fight
7. Cyber/SIGINT collection, processing techniques and enablers
8. Cyber/SIGINT systems engineering, analysis, development, integration, test and evaluation of
technologies/techniques
9. Real-time processing technology to improve the extraction, identification, analysis and reporting
of tactical information a applied to Cyber and SIGINT
10. ISR information extraction for SIGINT issues
11. Algorithms for identification, collection, processing, and exploitation of electronic
communication signals in a moderate to dense co-channel environment with potentially
significant Doppler effects