Planned Open Source
A public hardware and software release is planned; source files are not yet posted.
ARGUS · OPEN-SOURCE · OFF-THE-SHELF
Portable drone detection. Built for awareness.
Argus is a portable, low-cost drone detector for frontline soldiers and public safety officers. It is designed around off-the-shelf components, with an open-source release planned. Contact us for a detection evaluation.
Commodity Hardware
Off-the-shelf components are intended to make the detector affordable to build and maintain.
Detection Only
Passive awareness. No transmission. No aircraft interference. No active countermeasure behavior.
01 — The Problem
Drone awareness in a portable device.
Small drones can be difficult to notice by sight or sound alone. Argus is intended to give its user an alert when drone activity is detected.
The design prioritizes portability, affordable hardware, and alerts that a person can review.
02 — The Tool
Parallax Argus is a passive, detection-only awareness tool.
Argus combines off-the-shelf hardware with detection software. Its planned public release will include the source and build documentation; contact Parallax for current evaluation options.
// PASSIVE DETECTION · NON-INTERFERING
Argus is passive, detection-only, and awareness-focused. It does not transmit, jam, interdict, spoof, disable, or interfere with any aircraft.
03 — Detection Approach
Detection channels under evaluation.
Argus development includes RF, Remote ID, acoustic, and optical detection. We confirm which channels are ready and suitable for each evaluation.
RF Awareness
Listen for common drone control and video-link bands using accessible SDR hardware.
Remote ID Ingest
Read broadcast Remote ID messages from aircraft that transmit them.
Acoustic Detection
Evaluate whether microphone recordings can identify drone rotor sounds in the intended environment.
Visual / Optical
Evaluate camera-based recognition as another source of evidence about nearby aircraft.
Sensor Fusion
Compare detections from different sensors. Detection performance and false alerts need to be measured in the intended environment.
Operator Review
Show when a detection occurred, which sensor reported it and what information is available for review.
04 — Hardware
Field packaging built around existing equipment habits.
The Argus v1 enclosure concept explores PRC-152-style radio batteries. The aim is to use a familiar battery format for teams that already carry it; compatibility must be confirmed during evaluation.
OFF-THE-SHELF
PRC-152 STYLE BATTERY CONCEPT
PARTNER REVIEW
05 — Software
Open-source development and early collaboration.
Argus does not have a public source release posted yet. Early collaborators, educators, researchers, field users, and technical partners should contact Parallax to discuss feedback, early access, and responsible development support.
06 — Capabilities
What the planned release will include.
Multi-Modal Detection
RF, Remote ID, acoustic and optical detection channels are being evaluated. Available channels are confirmed for each test.
Off-the-Shelf Hardware
A parts list identifying the components needed for the published design.
Planned Open Source
Targeted for free use and modification once the public source release is available.
Passive and Non-Interfering
Detection only. No transmission. No interdiction. No interference.
Documented Release Path
Build notes, configuration guidance, and contribution paths will be published with the source release.
Development feedback
Early feedback is welcome from educators, researchers, operators, and aligned technical collaborators.
07 — Who Argus Is For
Who Argus is for.
- Educators and STEM programs teaching airspace awareness, RF, sensor fusion, and applied ML.
- Researchers studying drone detection, signal processing, and drone detection sensor design.
- Airfield, range, and event operators needing accessible situational awareness.
- Hobbyist and maker communities exploring detection-side counterparts to FPV.
- Security and safety teams building defense-in-depth airspace awareness layers.
Passive detection and awareness
Responsible use is part of the product.
Argus is a detection and awareness tool. It does not transmit, jam, spoof, or interdict. Operators are responsible for complying with all applicable local, national, and international laws regarding RF reception, recording, privacy, and airspace monitoring.
The planned open-source release will include build documentation and a contribution process.
09 — Contribution Path
Arrange a detection evaluation.
10 — Get Started
Discuss your site and detection goals.
Tell us where you need drone awareness and what you want to evaluate. We will confirm the equipment, detection channels, and test requirements.