National Institute of Technology, Raipur

Topic

Cell Phone / Mobile Detector Circuit

Name - Aman Khandwe

Roll no. - 19111006
Semester - 6th
Branch - Biomedical Engineering
Subject - Microelectronics & Integrated Circuits
Abstract
Here in this paper we will be discussing about cell phone/mobile detector circuit
on various fronts such as its importance, circuit diagram along with working and
some applications, advantages and disadvantages of the same and what is the
scope of improvement in the device.

Table of contents-
1. Introduction.
2. Components Required.
3. Working and Circuit Diagram.
4. Advantages and Disadvantages.
5. Applications.
6. Modifications.
7. Conclusion.
8. References.

Introduction
Threats to a company’s security and intellectual property have become a big issue.
These dangers might originate from the inside, the outside, or unknown sources,
and can lead firms to lose considerable sums of money and competitive advan-
tages. These insider/outsider threats can now be recorded on a phone and sent
out of the institution through Wi-Fi or via a cellular network, thanks to devel-
opments in mobile phone and tablet technology. Once the culprits have finished
sending their messages, they may simply delete them from their devices with-
out fear of being detected. The insider threat is very concerning. Electronically
monitoring the surroundings of interest so that mobile phone communications
may be identified and blocked by security is one extremely efficient means of ad-
dressing the dangers of cell phones. This is were the cell phone/mobile detector
circuit comes into play. Cell Phone Detector is a circuit that detects the presence
of any activated cell phone nearby and indicates the existence of an activated cell
phone. A cell phone detector is essentially a Frequency Detector or a Current to
Voltage Converter Circuit that detects frequencies between 0.8 and 3.0GHz (Mo-
bile band frequencies).Within a 1 metre range, this Mobile Detector Circuit can
detect incoming/outgoing calls, messaging, video transmission, and any SMS or
GPRS usage. This circuit is highly useful for detecting cell phones in situations

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where cell phones are prohibited, such as exam halls, conference rooms, and hos-
pitals. It may also be used to identify illegal usage of a concealed cell phone or
espionage. It can detect RF transmission from a mobile phone and cause a buzzer
to emit a beep sound, even if the phone is in silent mode, and this alarm will
continue to beep until RF signals are detected.

Fig 1.Block Diagram

Components Required
1. Op-Amp CA3130
2. 2.2M resistor (2)
3. 100K resistor (1)
4. 1K resistor (3)
5. 100nF capacitor (4)
6. 22pF capacitor (2)
7. 100uF capacitor
8. Bread board
9. 9 Volt Battery
10. Battery Connector
11. LED

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 12. Transistor BC547

13. Transistor BC557

14. Connecting wires

15. Buzzer

16. Antenna

Working and Circuit Diagram

Working
The Cell Phone Detector circuits work on the principle of detecting RF signals.An
op-amp is used in this circuit, along with other active passive components. The
presence of a cellphone is indicated by an LED and a buzzer. The output of the
op-amp is linked to an LED and a buzzer using NPN and PNP transistors as a
Frequency Detector or Current to Voltage Converter.The Mobile Detector is easy
to use. For detecting RF signal from a mobile phone, two 100nF capacitors (C2
and C3) are connected in parallel. These capacitors serve as the system’s loop
antenna. When a call or SMS is received, capacitors in parallel detect the data
transfer frequencies or RF signal, and the op-output amp’s becomes high or low
(fluctuating) owing to the produced current at the input side.LEDs turn on and
off according to the frequency of the signal through NPN transistors as a result of
these variations. The PNP transistor is now activated at the same frequency, and
the buzzer begins to sound until the data transfer is complete.

Circuit Diagram
For detecting incoming or outgoing signals in this circuit, we used a CA3130 OP-
Amp IC. The non-inverting end of the op-amp is linked to Vcc via a 2.2M resistor,
as well as to ground via a 100K resistor and a 100uF capacitor. Its inverting termi-
nal receives feedback from its output and amplifies the signal with a 2.2M resistor.
The system’s loop antenna is made up of two 100nF capacitors linked between the
inverting and non-inverting terminals. To raise the gain of the current to voltage
converter at its output pin, two 100nF capacitors are connected in series between
Pin 1 and 8 of the op-amp.This op-output amp’s is linked to the base of a BC547
NPN transistor through a 1k resistor, and an LED is attached to its emitter for
indication. A buzzer with a PNP transistor, the BC557, is also used for sound in-
dication. The circuit is also powered by a 9-volt battery. The remainder of the
connections are depicted in the Circuit Diagram below.

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 Fig 2.Circuit Diagram

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
• The illegal use of cell phones is a growing and dangerous problem in insti-
tutions.

• Small in size.

• Detection of hidden cell phones Long range-some RF can locate cell phones
up to one mile away.

Disadvantages
• Cannot detect phones that are off or in airplane mode if a phone is powered
off or not transmitting, it is invisible to the detector.

• It is a low range detector, of the order of centimetres.

• With higher barrier height is less sensitive to small signals.

Applications
• This circuit can be used at examination halls, meetings to detect presence
of mobile phones and prevent the use of cell phones.

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 • It can be used for detecting mobile phones used for spying and unauthorized
transmission of audio and video.

• It can be used to detect stolen mobile phones.

• It can also be used in hospitals, military bases, theaters, courts and other
places requiring high level security.

• Cell phone detectors may also be used to find and warn security personnel
to hidden camera transmission equipment. This is critical because it may
help the house and other customers avoid big financial losses while also
safeguarding the integrity of table games.

Modifications
• Improve the detector so that it can identify mobile phones present on standby
mode.

• Increase the detector’s range.

• A microcontroller can be used to improve the detector.

• Apart from all these we can also use the schottky diode which can be used
to detect the mobile phone signal in the Schottky diode circuit because it
has the unique attribute of being able to correct low frequency signals with
low noise rate. Mutual induction receives the signal when an inductor is po-
sitioned near the RF signal source. The Schottky diode rectifies this signal.
This low-power signal may be amplified and utilised to power any indica-
tion, such as an LED.

Conclusion
Today’s advanced cell phones pose a risk to government facilities, some of which
store very sensitive data. In addition, they constitute a threat in jails and other
correctional facilities, casinos and gaming centres, warehouses, and other com-
mercial shops. In exam rooms, call centres, and intellectual property, cell phones
can be a concern.Thankfully, technology has progressed to the point where so-
phisticated cell phone detectors are now available. Mobile phone detectors can
currently identify cell phones in all nations, regardless of their operational mode
(standby, texts, data, and calls). They’re also capable of detecting a wide range
of protocols. The most modern mobile phone detectors may even be set to de-
tect any number of different frequencies and even recognise unknown frequency
broadcasts.

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References
1. Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. (2016, March) Wolfhound-PRO Cell Phone
Detector. [Online]. https://www.bvsystems.com/products/
2. RM Pratt et al., ”Cell Phone Detection Techniques,” TN, Prepared for the US
Department of Energy October 2007.
3. Nicholas W. Scott, ”Study of Cellular Phone Detection Techniques,” Univer-
sity of Nebraska, Lincoln, MSc Thesis 2011.
4. Design and Development of a Mobile Phone Signal Detector. A.A. Ajasa1;
O. Shoewu2; and P.O. Nwamina3

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