Op Amp Cell Phone RF Signal Detector

Revision 10-16-2012

YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/kXJJauAWrzc

PDF File: http://www.seattleu.edu/scieng/ece/CellPhoneSignalDetector.html
Online CircuitLab Circuit Schematic: https://www.circuitlab.com/circuit/uq4jyh/my-lm358-cell-phone-rf-detector/

This beginner electronics circuit is a quick fun breadboard circuit that

uses an operational amplifier (Op-Amp) to sense the presence of an
activated cell phone from a distance of several meters. The simple
circuit can detect any activity of a mobile phone such as incoming or
outgoing voice, voicemail, texting, and data. I can imagine someone
using such a circuit device on an airplane to scan you or your area if they
suspect you are using your phone while it is not in airplane-mode. Or
perhaps your teacher suspects you are texting while in class. Sometimes my imagination and I dont get
along.
If a cell phone signal is detected the circuit will blink a LED and or a sound buzzer. Keep in mind that the
phone must be transmitting and the only time a phone is transmitting is when it is receiving or sending
voice, text, internet or data.
Sensitivity can be adjusted on the circuit by adjusting the potentiometer. This circuit is made very simple
using the least amount of components. The components used are very inexpensive and readily available.

Schematic
Online CircuitLab

R5 Potentiometer (POT): Adjust the POT until the LED is off with only an occasional flicker. R5 can be
substituted with fixed resistors.
Antenna: Experiment with the antenna length. You can search the internet on antenna design, tutorials,
and calculators to find the best length or shapes taking into account the frequency involved and chipcircuit-breadboard layout.

Continued on the following page

Example Circuit 1

Example Circuit 2
This circuit works as good as circuit 1.

Continued on the following page

Op Amp Cell Phone RF Signal Detector

Schematic
Reference
Designator

My cost
Part

Description

Quantity Used
in Circuit

Cost Each

Cost Total

Note

Dual OpAmp Single Supply 8Pin Dip, Thru-Hole

Resistor, Carbon, 6.8M Ohm,
1/4 Watt, 5%, Thru-Hole,
Bulk.

$0.19

$0.19

$0.03

$0.09

This value may be

substituted with
what you have
available, such as
1M 10M.

1K Resistor

Resistor, Carbon, 1K Ohm,

1/4 Watt, 5%, Thru-Hole,
Bulk.

$0.03

$0.03

This value may be

substituted with
what you have
available, such as
330 5K.

0.1uF Capacitor

Capacitor, Monolithic
Ceramic, 0.1uF 50 Volt, Z5U,
20% Radial, Bulk

$0.06

$0.18

R5

500K Resistor
Potentiometer
Trimmer - Thumb
and screwdriver
adjustment

3352 - 3/8 Trimming

Potentiometer 500K Ohm,
0.5Watt, 10%, Thru-Hole,
Bulk, Single-Turn, Cermet,
Thumb and screwdriver
adjustment

$0.90

$0.90

This value may be

substituted with
what you have
available.
This value may be
substituted with
what you have
available, such as
10K 1M. Or
inexpensive resistor
could replace this.

D1

LED Any Color

LED T-1 3/4, Thru-Hole, Bulk

$0.05

$0.05

--

9 V, Snap Connector

$0.30

$0.30

----

9 Volt Battery
Breadboard
22 AGW Wire

9 V Battery Snap Clip, 4 Inch

Length 26 AWG Lead Wire
9 Volt Battery
170 Tie Point Breadboard
Hook Up Jumper Wire,
22AWG, Solid, Red
Hook Up Jumper Wire,
22AWG, Solid, Black
Hook Up Jumper Wire,
22AWG, Solid, Yellow

1
1
Pre-stocked

$1.00
$0.95

$1.00
$0.95
0

--

Wire Cutter Stripper

--

Miniature
Potentiometer
Trimmer Tool

--

Optional Buzzer

U1
R1, R2,
R3

R4

C1, C2,
C3

LM358AN

Revision 10-16-2012

6.8M Resistor

Wire Cutter Stripper, 2616AWG

Miniature Potentiometer
Trimmer Tool - Screwdriver

Pre-stocked

Any color or size.

You can purchase

25 spools of
different colored
wire for a few
dollars each or
purchase jumper
wire kits

0
0

$0.40 Used to
adjust trimmer if
using a non-thumb
adjustable trimmer.
I used a 14 year old
buzzer I found lying
around. Ill
purchase a buzzer
online and provide
a part number in
the future.

Total Cost

$3.69