Multi-tone Jammer Localization Algorithms for Reader in Backscatter Communication Systems

Abstract

As an Internet of Things solution, backscatter communication (BSC) offers low cost and energy efficiency but suffers from high vulnerability to jamming due to its simple architecture and double-path fading. Existing methods rely on antenna arrays and beamforming to mitigate jamming but fail to provide localization, tracking, shielding, or evidence collection capabilities. To address this problem, we investigate a low-cost localization algorithm for multi-tone jammers in a BSC system. In particular, we propose BSC-specific signal preprocessing that enables jammer localization at the reader using frequency-domain time difference of arrival and received signal strength indicator-based estimation without additional hardware. We validate the performance of the proposed method in terms of localization accuracy with the benchmark through extensive simulations. Overall, our proposed novel framework offers a low-complexity sensing and localization capability for secure backscatter platforms by reusing standard backscatter links to localize hostile emitters without requiring additional hardware, aligning with emerging 6G platform needs.