Kyiv company develops drone detector that turns intercepted signals into live video
Kyiv-based CODE380 has created D·Vision SDR, a software-based drone detector that intercepts Russian drone radio signals and converts them into real-time video. The device has undergone combat and field testing with Ukrainian military units and receives software updates about twice a month.
Key points
- CODE380 developed the D·Vision SDR drone detector in Kyiv.
- The system converts intercepted Russian drone signals into real-time video.
- D·Vision SDR has passed combat and field tests with Ukrainian military units.
- It scans the radio spectrum from 500 to 8,700 MHz for drone-related signals.
- The detector uses software-defined radio technology and receives updates roughly twice a month.
- Operators can see what a drone is observing and assess whether they are its target.
Why it matters
D·Vision SDR can show ground operators what a drone is looking at, helping them assess whether they are being targeted. Its software-based processing and frequent updates allow it to adapt as drone frequencies and radio behavior change. The device has already passed combat and field tests with Ukrainian units.
What happened
CODE380 created D·Vision SDR, a detector that scans the radio spectrum from 500 to 8,700 MHz for signals characteristic of drones. Unlike conventional detectors with analog receivers, it uses software-defined radio technology to process intercepted signals and convert them into images, including real-time video. The system receives software updates approximately twice a month, enabling developers to adapt its signal processing as drone frequencies change. Ukrainian military units have tested it under combat and field conditions, and their feedback was incorporated into the device. Decoded drone footage allows ground operators to see what the drone is observing and judge whether they are its intended target.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian outlets emphasize the practical use of D·Vision SDR in combat and field conditions, its ability to adapt to frequently changing drone frequencies, and its value in displaying drone video to ground operators. The development is closely linked to Ukrainian military units and the rapidly changing control schemes, frequencies and telemetry used by drones in Ukraine.
Background
Drone control methods, frequencies and telemetry in Ukraine change almost weekly, while Russian drones continuously alter their radio behavior and tactics evolve accordingly. A 2022 article in Sensors described radio-frequency detection on SDR platforms as one of the most adaptive methods for detecting small drones. Russian Molnia-type drones reportedly use the 4.1–4.5 GHz video band, particularly 4.3–4.5 GHz, where many electronic-detection systems perform poorly.