For the Defense - Vol. 5, Issue 2 - 35

any available switching or routing information.
Since cell phone towers typically don't move,
physical
GPScell
coordinates
aretower
maintained
Call
Detail
Records
("CDRs")
are
based
on
all
the
interconnected routers, switches, and servers until it cantheir
determine
what
provider and
your
byofthe
are device.
included
withyour
CDR
technical
data
and logs
by a beam
cell phone
phone is
connected
to,generated
and ultimately
the contents
thecell
textproviders
message and
to your
When
returns.
This
data
ultimately
is
used
in
cell
phone
tower
as
it
communicates
with
your
device.
When
phone utilizes a data connection to check for new emails, receive a chat message, make a phone call, or
triangulation. CDR data is typically very reliable.
someone sends a text message from an AT&T
push a Facebook or TikTok notification to you, an extremely detailed log entry of the technical data
Issues tend to arise in the interpretation of the
phone number to your Verizon phone, it has
behind
that
connection
is
generated
by
the
provider.
data, but most often they can be explained.
to traverse a web of hundreds or thousands of
interconnected routers, switches, and servers until
CDR data
willcell
contain
technical
related
how aTriangulation
particular connection
was
made.
it can determine
what
provider
and information
tower
Cellto
Phone
and How
it Works
CDR
data
varies
by
carrier,
but
usually
includes
the
tower
or
base
station
to
which
the
phone
was
your phone is connected to, and ultimately beam
thethe
actual
of the
tower,
and any available
switching
or routing
information.
Since cell
theconnected,
contents of
textsector
message
to your
device.
A digital
forensic
examiner
must interpret
several pieces
of data when
triangulating
a cell
When
your
phone
utilizesdon't
a data
connection
to GPS coordinates
phone
towers
typically
move,
their physical
are maintained
by the
cell providers
check
emails,
a chat This
message,
using
call detail CDR
records.
andfor
arenew
included
withreceive
CDR returns.
data ultimately phone's
is used inlocation
cell phone
triangulation.
dataThis
is
make
a
phone
call,
or
push
a
Facebook
or
TikTok
data
can
include
but
is
not
limited
to
azimuth,
typically very reliable. Issues tend to arise in the interpretation of the data, but most often they can be
cell site ID, location area changes (LAC), sector,
notification
explained.to you, an extremely detailed
longitude, latitude, and duration. A cell tower is
log entry of the technical data behind that
typically split into 3 sectors These sectors cover a
connection is generated by the provider.
Cell Phone Triangulation and How it Works
360-degree range around the tower. That leaves
digital
forensic
examiner
must interpret several
pieces
of data
when triangulating
a cell
120
degrees
of range
for each sector.
The sectors
CDR dataAwill
contain
technical
information
phone's
location
using
call
detail
records.
This
data
can
include
but
is
not
limited
to
azimuth,
cell
site id, An
are typically called Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.
related to how a particular connection was made.
location
area changes
(LAC),
and duration.
A cellsectors
tower is
typically
splitininto
of these
can
be found
the3
CDR
data varies
by carrier,
butsector,
usuallylongitude,
includes latitude, example
sectors
cover
a 360-degree
range
around image
the tower.
That leaves 120 degrees of range for
below.
thesectors
tower These
or base
station
to which
the phone
was
connected,
theThe
actual
sector
the tower,
and
each sector.
sectors
areof
typically
called
Alpha Beta and Gamma. An example of these sectors can be
CDR Data

found in the image below.

Vol. 5, Issue 2 l For The Defense

For the Defense - Vol. 5, Issue 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of For the Defense - Vol. 5, Issue 2