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YOU ARE HERE: HOME / FREE PROJECT CIRCUITS / COMMUNICATION / CELL PHONE DETECTOR CIRCUIT
The most common electronic equipment used now-a-days is Cell Phone or Mobile
Phone. With advancement in communication technology, the requirement of cell
phones has increased dramatically. A cell phone typically transmits and receives
signals in the frequency range of 0.9 to 3GHz. This article provides a simple circuit to
detect the presence of an activated cell phone by detecting these signals.
I have designed two circuits that act as Cell Phone Detector Circuit, one using a
combination of Schottky Diode and a Voltage Comparator and the other using a
BiCMOS Op-Amp.
Table of Contents
1. Basic Principle of Mobile Phone Detector Circuit
2. Circuit 1: Simple Cell Phone Detector Circuit
2.1. Components Required
2.2. Working
3. Circuit 2: Cell Phone Detector using Schottky Diode
3.1. Cell Phone Detector Circuit Design
3.1.1. Detector Circuit Design
3.1.2. Amplifier Circuit Design
3.1.3. Comparator circuit Design
3.2. Mobile Phone Tracking Circuit Operation
3.3. Theory Behind Cell Phone Tracking System
4. Cell Phone Detector Circuit Applications
5. Limitations of Mobile Phone Detector Circuit
Components Required
CA3130 Op-Amp
Resistors – 2.2MΩ x 2, 100KΩ, 1KΩ
Capacitors – 22pF x 2, 0.22nF, 47pF, 100µF
BC548 NPN Transistor
LED
Antenna
Connecting Wires
Breadboard
9V Battery
Working
The Op-amp part of the circuit acts as the RF Signal Detector while Transistor part of
the circuit act as the indicator. The capacitors collection along with the antenna are
used to detect RF Signals when a cell phone makes (or receives) a phone call or
sends (or receives) a text message.
Op-Amp reads the signals by converting the rise in current at input to voltage at output
and the LED will be activated.
Circuit Components
V1 = 12V
L1 = 10uH
R1 = 100Ohms
C1 = 100nF
R2 = 100K
R3 = 3K
Q1 = BC547
R4 = 200 Ohms
R5 = 100 Ohms
IC1= LM339
R6 = 10 Ohms
LED = Blue LED
The detector circuit consists of an inductor, diode, a capacitor and a resistor. Here an
inductor value of 10uH is chosen. A Schottky diode BAT54 is chosen as the detector
diode, which can rectify low frequency AC signal. The filter capacitor chosen in a
100nF ceramic capacitor, used to filter out AC ripples. A load resistor of 100 Ohms is
used.
Here a simple BJT BC547 is used in common emitter mode. Since the output signal is
of low value, the emitter resistor is not required in this case. The collector resistor value
is determined by the value of battery voltage, collector emitter voltage and collector
current.
Now the battery voltage is chosen to be 12 V (since maximum open source collector
emitter voltage for BC 547 is 45V), operating point collector emitter voltage is 5 V and
collector current is 2 mA. This gives a collector resistor of approx 3 K. Thus a 3 K
resistor is used as Rc. The input resistor is used to provide bias to the transistor and
should be of larger value, so as to prevent the flow of maximum current. Here we
chose a resistor value of 100 K.
Here LM339 is used as comparator. The reference voltage is set at the inverting
terminal using a potential divider arrangement. Since output voltage from the amplifier
is quite low, the reference voltage is set low of the order of 4V. This is achieved by
selecting a resistor of 200 Ohms and a potentiometer of 330 Ohms. An output resistor
of value 10 Ohms is used as a current limiting resistor.
In normal condition, when there is no RF signal, the voltage across the diode will be
negligible. Even though this voltage is amplified by the transistor amplifier, yet the
output voltage is less than the reference voltage, which is applied to the inverting
terminal of the comparator. Since the voltage at non inverting terminal of the OPAMP is
less than the voltage at the inverting terminal, the output of the OPAMP is low logic
signal.
Now when a mobile phone is present near the signal, a voltage is induced in the
choke and the signal is demodulated by the diode. This input voltage is amplified by
the common emitter transistor. The output voltage is such that it is more than the
reference output voltage. The output of the OPAMP is thus a logic high signal and the
LED starts glowing, to indicate the presence of a mobile phone. The circuit has to be
placed centimeters away from the object to be detected.
“
Also Read the Interesting Post: USB Mobile Phone Travel Charger
Circuit
The signal from mobile phone is a RF signal. When a mobile phone is present near the
circuit, the RF signal from the mobile induces a voltage in the inductor via mutual
induction. This AC signal of high frequency of the order of GHz is rectified by the
Schottky diode. The output signal is filtered by the capacitor.
The circuit is biased using a voltage divider circuit formed by combination of two
resistors. When a transistor is biased in active region, i.e. the emitter base junction is
forward biased and the collector base junction is reverse biased, a small base current
results in a larger collector current.
LM339 as Comparator
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Comments
Dabbakuti.venkatasivakrishna says
MARCH 8, 2014 AT 2:48 AM
nice
Reply
Is it working
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sushant says
APRIL 11, 2014 AT 8:07 PM
is it possible to increase the detection range??? (in the order of few meters)
Reply
yasir says
NOVEMBER 26, 2015 AT 3:51 AM
not possible
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Karsey says
DECEMBER 6, 2015 AT 7:47 AM
Could I do this without an amplifier circuit? I know that the signal will be like
nothing
Reply
Kirito122526 says
FEBRUARY 20, 2016 AT 2:55 AM
Can you suggest other type of schottky diode aside from Bat54 that can be
used to replace it in the circuit. or lemme ask if it is possible to change it
with other type of SB diode such as SB160
Reply
AOUDIA says
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 AT 5:09 PM
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Waseem Iqbal says
DECEMBER 2, 2015 AT 6:41 AM
HI bro I need your help because I want to work in this project. please share
your experience with me I will be thankful.contact as soon as possible.
Reply
siva says
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 AT 2:49 AM
hi…..if u done this project plss help me how to design and implement
Reply
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Chandana H C says
APRIL 27, 2017 AT 7:40 AM
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Anshul Tailor says
AUGUST 31, 2017 AT 4:44 AM
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Eric says
AUGUST 15, 2014 AT 12:53 AM
I have a few questions about this circuit. I am a novice with electronics, at best and
I am trying to build this circuit for a school project.
1. I am having trouble finding the BAT54 Schottky diode. Is there a substitute diode
that would also work?
2. Does it matter what type of 10 uH inductor I use?
3. What kind of 12V battery is used? Is there a 12V battery that is small enough to
make this a pocket instrument?
Reply
naveen says
AUGUST 25, 2014 AT 1:10 AM
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swathi says
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 AT 2:38 PM
i can’t find anywhere the Schottky diode used in the circuit . Please suggest me an
alternate one
Reply
Vivek says
MARCH 15, 2017 AT 11:31 PM
Use opamp 3130 … You will need a 555 timer for providing timing pulses,
Reply
how turns should be used for the inductor based on this cellphone detector circuit.
or any other resistor or capacitor can be replaced in that place. please answer me.
Reply
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Pallu says
JANUARY 24, 2016 AT 3:34 AM
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nanthini says
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 AT 9:59 AM
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hw do u get d output
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nikhita says
SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 AT 3:33 PM
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pavithran says
SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 AT 1:39 PM
hi frnz!
my bro wants to do electrical project. i googled and suggested this. he want some
help to develop. will u pls help him.
if u r ok help him pls mail me: kmpavithransnh@gmail.com
Reply
saniya says
OCTOBER 7, 2014 AT 1:16 AM
Hello.
I want a circuit diagram for binary to decimal converter for 4 bit inputs which is low
in cost and easy.please sir help.
Reply
it is possible and circuit is well working. Thank you so much for sharing this circuit.
Reply
henry says
NOVEMBER 24, 2015 AT 10:14 AM
Reply
Nagaraj Manjunath Moger says
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AT 1:10 AM
Bro can you tell me what are the problems you faced while doing this
project…..pls share your experience
Reply
Sifat says
OCTOBER 18, 2014 AT 1:36 PM
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Nilanka says
OCTOBER 23, 2014 AT 6:05 PM
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jawad says
OCTOBER 24, 2014 AT 5:13 PM
how can we detect only one phone at time from its ime number
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ramesh says
OCTOBER 29, 2014 AT 12:03 PM
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vishal says
OCTOBER 30, 2014 AT 4:43 AM
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Momy says
FEBRUARY 10, 2016 AT 1:07 PM
hi,, Vishal If u done this project then, share your knowledge with me plzzzz… I
am waiting,,,, My Email I,D is mominabibi185gmail.com
Reply
I M IMPRESSED…
Reply
black'x says
NOVEMBER 4, 2014 AT 2:02 PM
If i want to check this circuit on proteus or any other stimulation software, what
should i do to give it input of 0.9 to 3 GHZ RF ? Which component could help me to
do so ?
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Reply
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hanan says
MARCH 23, 2017 AT 6:19 PM
hi,, If u done this project then, share your knowledge with me plz… I am
waiting,
Reply
ashish says
NOVEMBER 6, 2014 AT 4:36 AM
To admin,
what is change in circuit if i want to increase the detection range?????
Reply me as soon as possible……
Reply
Keshav says
NOVEMBER 24, 2014 AT 10:04 AM
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nariman says
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 AT 5:41 AM
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henry says
NOVEMBER 24, 2015 AT 8:42 AM
Reply
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s ofcourse
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Nidhi parekh says
DECEMBER 3, 2015 AT 7:30 AM
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Anusha says
JANUARY 21, 2016 AT 3:01 AM
Here BAT54 is a Schottky diode and plays a main role in detecting Low
Frequency Signals from 0.9 to 3GHZ.You cannot use Any other diode in this
place.
Reply
Anusha says
MARCH 5, 2016 AT 7:10 AM
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can we use another diode instead of BAT54 Schottky ?If yes kindly tell
me which one can be used?
Reply
Bhadri Raju says
JULY 22, 2016 AT 10:56 AM
Reply
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Anusha says
FEBRUARY 5, 2016 AT 1:58 AM
It is a POT
Reply
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Joshua Godwin says
FEBRUARY 4, 2016 AT 10:49 PM
Pls i need help i want to build this circuit for a school project pls i need ur help on
how to get shocttky diode or what else can i use in pls of it. I also need assistance
on how to construct the circuit pls help its urgent. this is my mail thanks
djgodwin77@gail.com
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venkat says
FEBRUARY 5, 2016 AT 8:02 AM
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Max says
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 AT 10:14 PM
Why do you use a 100 ohm resistor in R1? isn’t too low?
Reply
aswani says
FEBRUARY 11, 2016 AT 8:32 AM
can i implement extension of this circuit range extension from upto 3 to 4 cms how
to do
Reply
hi how u do diz?
Reply
Azealz says
FEBRUARY 16, 2016 AT 10:44 PM
Pls i wanna do this 4 my schl project, has anyone been able to confirm if it works?
PLS contact me on 5C2583B2 or lilwayze29@gmail.com
Reply
divya says
FEBRUARY 20, 2016 AT 9:46 PM
Reply
P.Abishek... says
MARCH 8, 2016 AT 11:29 AM
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udayraj says
MARCH 12, 2016 AT 11:27 AM
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How can I make 10uH inductor? Please give me details about it, like wire gauge,
turns, coil diameter etc.
Reply
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shatrughan lal says
JULY 5, 2016 AT 5:52 AM
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Arunkumar says
JULY 13, 2016 AT 1:56 PM
so I am developed my knowledge
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krishna says
JULY 23, 2016 AT 3:22 AM
very nice mini projects thanks for your valuable electronic based equipment s
Reply
Titus says
JULY 27, 2016 AT 11:29 AM
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Sai says
AUGUST 30, 2016 AT 8:05 AM
Can you exactly tell me what is the model number of the Schottky diode?please
reply as soon as possible because I am interested in this project.
Reply
peteriggamba says
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 AT 5:58 AM
Reply
its superbb .i want 2 make this project….so….can i get the components from u…..i
hope u will send…..waiting for u…..and can u send them on or before 24-9-
2016…..plz….its my request…..
can i get more information on this…..
Reply
Does this circuit work only when the mobile receive or make a call?? Or will it detect
the mobile even if it is idle??
Reply
chaitra says
NOVEMBER 5, 2016 AT 12:49 AM
i want to do this project i want complete information about this please send to my
email
Reply
maneesha says
NOVEMBER 17, 2016 AT 8:22 AM
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awaish says
APRIL 27, 2017 AT 10:45 AM
no
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sh. says
NOVEMBER 26, 2016 AT 3:38 AM
thanks.
Reply
swetha says
DECEMBER 1, 2016 AT 8:57 AM
how much cost Will it take for making this circuit nd is it possible to increase the
range of detection???…
Reply
How to increase the range of cell phone detector? Any formula is there for
calculating range?
Reply
ritwik says
MARCH 14, 2017 AT 11:14 AM
I am having trouble in making connections with ic. Please help me.There are only
three pins shown in the ckt diagram but the ic I have has many pins. Please help
me.
Reply
deepu says
APRIL 17, 2017 AT 9:01 PM
What type inductor required and Schottky diode any pin number
Reply
Chandana H C says
APRIL 27, 2017 AT 7:42 AM
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how can we deteact cell pone in symple way? esiar any symple meathd to deteact
Reply
Nicholas says
MAY 18, 2017 AT 3:26 PM
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Manthan says
JULY 26, 2017 AT 5:40 AM
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Satya says
DECEMBER 2, 2017 AT 12:45 AM
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vsskamal says
DECEMBER 13, 2017 AT 12:10 PM
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Suhanya madhu says
DECEMBER 16, 2017 AT 10:06 AM
Super
Reply
Hi Vishal,I would like to know which component makes the circuit detect the cell
phone and how costly is the project components,please share with me because am
working on this as my school project
Reply
Meysam says
APRIL 6, 2018 AT 3:58 AM
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Tatts says
JULY 10, 2018 AT 8:12 AM
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Hairsh yadav says
NOVEMBER 1, 2018 AT 9:39 AM
Thank U so much
Reply
Probably we can increase the range of circuit by increasing antenna height to few
inches. (2-3 inches).
Reply
Ronnie says
APRIL 26, 2019 AT 4:40 AM
Reply
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