Aaronia AG AARTOS X7

The AARTOS X7 from Aaronia AG (Germany) is a mid-size configuration of the passive AARTOS radio-frequency detection system with eight sector antennas. It monitors all round, 360 degrees, and can be used stationary or deployed. The manufacturer names critical infrastructure, prisons and events as fields of use.

The receive range runs from 700 MHz to 6 GHz. That brings the 868 and 915 MHz control links and the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz connections into range, but not links below 700 MHz. Remote ID broadcasts in the 2.4 GHz band also lie within range; whether they are evaluated depends on the software. The scan speed of 3 THz/s measures how fast the receiver sweeps the spectrum, which matters for frequency-hopping systems that transmit only briefly on one frequency. Typical bearing accuracy is 5 to 6 degrees.

The detector does not transmit and does not interfere with the drone’s radio link. Whether and how receiving and evaluating third-party radio signals is permitted (secrecy of telecommunications, data protection) has to be clarified for Germany and Poland before use. That includes Remote ID data, which can carry details about the operator. Jammers may be operated only by authorities in Germany and Poland (Section 91 TKG, Article 42 of the Polish Electronic Communications Law).

At 5 to 6 degrees of bearing accuracy the cross-range error grows with distance; a single bearing shows a direction, and a position arises only from several sensors. Eight sector antennas mean eight cable runs and connectors to check. The signature library needs upkeep so that new drone models are recognised. A passive detector does not see drones that do not transmit; radar and cameras close that gap. Anyone who wants to include links below 700 MHz should check the range beforehand.