A massive array of radio antennas arranged in a wide circle, used primarily by military and intelligence agencies for high-frequency direction finding. By measuring the phase and arrival time of a signal across the circular layout, operators can pinpoint the geographic origin of distant radio transmissions. These installations require acres of land and are often nicknamed elephant cages due to their towering wire structures.
The intercept team at the CDAA picked up a shortwave burst and triangulated it to a vessel in the North Atlantic.
Also heard as
- circularly disposed antenna array
- elephant cage
- Wullenweber array
Related terms
Time difference of arrival
A geolocation method that calculates position based on when a signal reaches different receivers.
Shortwave
Radio transmissions in the high frequency band, between 3 and 30 megahertz, known for their ability to travel global distances.
HF
High frequency designates the portion of the radio spectrum between 3 and 30 megahertz.