How can we distinguish transient pulsars from SETI beacons?

TL;DR

This paper explores how to differentiate transient extraterrestrial beacons from natural pulsars by analyzing observable features like bandwidth, pulse width, and frequency, aiding SETI efforts to identify signs of advanced civilizations.

Contribution

It proposes specific observational criteria to distinguish artificial beacons from natural astrophysical sources, enhancing SETI detection strategies.

Findings

Bandwidth, pulse width, and frequency can differentiate beacons from pulsars.

Transient signals may indicate civilizations slightly above our Kardashev scale.

Proposes observational features to identify extraterrestrial beacons.

Abstract

How would observers differentiate Beacons from pulsars or other exotic sources, in light of likely Beacon observables? Bandwidth, pulse width and frequency may be distinguishing features. Such transients could be evidence of civilizations slightly higher than ourselves on the Kardashev scale.