Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables
Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Nowadays there are plenty of shops where you can find electronic devices such as cassette recorders, Cell phone signal detector, but if you are looking for the spy gadgets the market has to offer come and visit us in Spy World, we are located in Miami Beach Coral Gables, Florida.
Example of Need for Better Cellular Phone Detection Technology. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Imagine you are an IT security consultant for pharmaceutical companies. Recently a company hired you to find out why their latest drug leaked to one of their competitors prior to release. The company has many labs, each with sensitive drug information stored on computers that are closely monitored by cameras. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The building they are housed in has security guards at every entrance and every employee is required to wear ID. Visitors must be escorted to ensure that no drug information leaks out.
You meet with the head of security and go over the security procedures. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. After a little digging, you find that employee-owned electronic devices such as cellular phones are allowed in and out of the facility. The company feels that the non-disclosure agreements in combination with security personnel monitoring everything on camera are strong enough to keep employees honest and that the cost of screening for electronic devices is too high. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. You tell the head of security that tomorrow morning security must seize every employee’s electronic device as they enter the building.
The next morning you show up early and post yourself outside the entrance to the building. As people start to come into work their electronic devices are taken away. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Eventually, you notice that someone walking up to the entrance immediately turns around and walks back to their car. You alert security and they find the person trying to stash away a cellular phone.
Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables
Later that morning, you download the contents of the cellular phone and find the files that were recently leaked. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The employee confesses to everything and gives the details of how they did it. The files were stolen by transferring from the computers via a Bluetooth connection. Evidently, some of the computers came with Bluetooth and weren’t disabled by IT security. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Using a Bluetooth connection didn’t look conspicuous on camera since there were no wires being plugged into the computer.
Therefore, the company needs a way to detect cellular phones in the facility. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. There are a few existing cellular phone detectors on the market today that could have caught the employee prior to the information leaking out. However, this technology still needs a lot of improvement and development.
Cellular Phone Technology. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Cellular phone technology is rapidly changing. Features like Bluetooth, USB, high-resolution cameras, microphones, Internet, 802.11 wireless, and memory cards are added every year. Also, the communication technology a cellular phone uses such as CDMA, GSM, 3G, and 4G are rapidly changing. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Cellular Phone Features. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Bluetooth is a secure wireless protocol that operates at 2.4 GHz. The protocol uses a master-slave structure and is very similar to having a wireless USB port on your cellular phone. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Devices like a printer, keyboard, mouse, audio device, and storage device can be connected wirelessly. This feature is mainly used for hands-free devices but can also be used for file transfer of pictures, music, and other data. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Universal serial bus (USB) is a way for cellular phones to connect to a computer for data transfer. This feature is very similar to Bluetooth for a cellular phone with the exception of using a cable. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. On today’s cellular phones this feature is mainly used for charging the battery or programming by the manufacturer. It can also be used to transfer pictures, music, and other data.
Cameras on cellular phones are a very popular feature that was added in the last 10 years. In recent years, high-resolution cameras have become a standard feature. Most cellular phones will come with at least a 2-megapixel camera and the most expensive phones can be as much as 8 megapixels. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Microphones have been featured on cellular phones since they first came out. In the last 10 years the microphones have become dual purpose; now there are programs on the phone that record voice to file such as a simple voice recorder or as part of a video. Almost every available cellular phone today has a connection to the Internet. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
This allows users to transfer files and data wherever they are. Cellular phones can send emails, text messages, picture text messages, video text messages, and upload data to the Internet. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Some cellular phones come with 802.11 wireless built in and allows the phone to connect to any nearby wireless networks. This provides an alternate connection method to the Internet and saves money if you’re on a limited data plan. Also, connecting with 802.11 is most likely going to provide better throughput than using the cellular phone network. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Since cameras and music have become popular features on cellular phones, manufacturers have started adding memory card slots. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. These memory cards provide expanded memory and allow more pictures to be taken or music files to be stored. Most memory cards can plug directly into the computer for easy data transfer.
All these features make cellular phones today very versatile. They can connect with almost any storage medium or computer. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. In the years to come, cellular phones will continue to gain more and more features.
Cellular Phone Communication Standards. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Currently, the three main technologies used by cellular phone providers are 2G, 3G, and 4G. Each generation of technology uses a different transmission protocol. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The transmission protocols dictate how a cellular phone communicates with the tower. Some examples are frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), and time-division synchronous code-division multiple access (TD-SCDMA). All of these protocols typically operate in the 824 – 894 MHz band in the United States. Some protocols, such as GSM (depending on the provider) will use the 1800 – 2000 MHz band. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
To provide a good example of how a cellular phone transmission works, take a look at Diagram 1 which shows how FDMA works. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Each phone call uses a different frequency within the 45 MHz bandwidth. FDMA is normally used for analog transmissions and is capable of digital transmissions.
Secure Facilities. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Many businesses such as psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, pharmaceutical companies, government facilities, and military bases rely on keeping information protected. They build security fortresses that shield their money making information from getting to the general public. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. These facilities have many computers that house the valuable information and are not connected to the Internet. Generally, access is restricted by guards with metal detectors and electronic devices are not allowed in or out without proper approval.
In every secure facility, it is hard to ensure that employees and visitors aren’t violating the policies. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The only way to ensure someone isn’t carrying a cellular phone is to search everyone as they enter and exit. This requires a great deal of manpower and most companies can’t afford that level of security. Additionally, it will make the employees feel like the company doesn’t trust them.
Cellular Phone Detectors Available Today. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
To get a good grasp on what is available let’s take a close look at some of the shelf cellular phone detectors. Most detectors are manufactured with the intent that the cellular phone is stationary and powered on.
They generally have the same features and it is questionable whether or not they actually detect a cellular phone. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The two most popular cellular phone detectors available on the market today are produced by Berkeley Varitronics Systems and Mobile Security Products. These companies produce the wolfhound cell phone detector and Cellbuster respectively. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Berkeley Varitronics Systems Wolfhound Cellphone Detector. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Berkeley Varitronics Systems wolfhound cell phone detector will detect PCS, CDMA, GSM, and cellular bands using RF signatures. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. It also has the capability to directionally find or locate cellular phones that are nearby. The wolfhound, according to the advertisement, can detect phones that are in standby mode, actively using voice, or data transmissions. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Wolfhound cell phone detector features:
- 40 to 50-foot radius of coverage
- -60 dBm sensitivity. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Audible alert
- Vibrating alert
- One-handed operation
- Continually scans for cellular phone uplink activity. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Integrated laser-assisted directional antenna
- Estimated battery runtime of 18 hours
The Wolfhound on paper seems to be a great way to detect cellular phones, but may just randomly detect cellular phone communications in the area and not necessarily the phone or device that set it off. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. A couple of quotes from their advertisement simply this: “It took only two hours to find five cell phones that were either in use at the time or hidden in the jail cells in standby mode ready to take calls” and “With only 30 minutes of operation, the device can detect many cell phones and identify the positions which led the team to find 10 mobile phones.” Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. These two quotes suggest that their device is picking up transmissions in the area, but it doesn’t show that they were directly from the phone they found or a phone at all.
Small print at the bottom of their advertisement reads, “Standby mode (autonomous registration) varies from base station to base station with phones typically registering between once every few minutes to up to 20 minutes. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. This time varies greatly based upon carriers, distance from base stations and individual handset manufacturer’s standards.” This again casts some doubt that their equipment is easy to use and won’t just be picking up random cellular transmissions or other devices in the area. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Also searching the internet for reviews or feedback about the device produces no results. This uncertainty about whether the detector works makes the Wolfhound very similar to the Cellbusters cellular phone detector.
Cellbusters Cell Phone Detector. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Cellbuster’s cellular phone detector provides continuous monitoring for cellular phones and has a voice alert that tells the user to shut their phone off if detected. The Cellbuster only receives and doesn’t transmit, making it great for areas sensitive to cellular phone usage. It will also detect phones that are in standby mode. Cellbusters cell phone detector features:
- Detect and prevent unauthorized cellular phone usage. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Detects analog and digital cellular phones CDMA, TDMA, GSM, and PCS/PCN types
- Range adjustment
- Audio alert asks cellular phone users to switch off their phone
- Red alert light flashes brightly to attract attention. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Detects when a phone is switched on and not in use
- Easy to configure and simple to install
This cellular phone detector sounds like it would work wonderfully for keeping people from bringing their phones into a secure facility. However, the advertisement isn’t very honest. It doesn’t tell you that a cellular phone may take up to 20 minutes to detect if it is on standby and that the phone needs to be on. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Also, just like the Wolfhound, it doesn’t provide any guarantee that it won’t just detect random transmissions in the area.
To show how inaccurate today’s cellular phone detectors are, a Cellbusters detector was borrowed from a local business and tested as part of this study. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Using two LG VX11000 GSM cellular phones, this cellular phone detector was tested extensively. Following is a synopsis of the testing:
Test 1 – Outside Faraday Cage at Home with Cellular Phones Turned On
- Tried cell detector sensitivity set low and high for 20 minutes each – detector didn’t activate. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Called one phone from the other and left on for 5 minutes – detector didn’t activate
- Texted one phone from the other – detector didn’t activate
- The detector doesn’t appear to work in public area with the sensitivity set high or low. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Detector activated randomly and generally not during a phone call
Test 2 – Inside Faraday Cage at the University of Nebraska-Omaha with Signal Generator Set to 832 MHz
- Tried cellular detector sensitivity set low and high for 10 minutes each – detector didn’t activate. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- Tried varying the frequency from 100MHZ to 1GHz – detector didn’t activate
- When set to high and open Faraday cage door it would alarm sometimes. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Testing this cellular phone detector led to a few conclusions. The Cellbusters Cellular phone detector doesn’t work very well and it is questionable that the detector works at all. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Using this device in a public area the detector just randomly went into alarm and didn’t indicate where to go or what to do. Testing indicates that the Cellbusters cell phone detector doesn’t work as advertised.
To get an idea of the circuitry required to build a cellular phone detector, it was dismantled.
After taking a close look at the circuitry used, no conclusions were drawn on exactly what technique of signal detection was used. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Cellbusters most likely used some digital signal processing to identify the signal characteristics of a cellular phone. A study performed by the U.S. Department of Energy pointed out that 2 of the 5 reviewers of the product reported that it didn’t work. In October 2007 when the study was performed, the Cellbusters Cellular phone detector cost $755 each and was back ordered.
Related Work. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Since cellular phone detection is a more recent problem, there are only a few articles that have already researched this area. Two articles were published in 2007 and provide good analysis. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The first article, “Detecting and Locating Cell Phones in Correctional Facilities,” was written by EVI Technology, LLC. The second article, “Cell Phone Detection Techniques,” was written by a Contractor hired by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Detecting and Locating Cell Phones in Correctional Facilities. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
This article details the growing problem with cellular phones in correctional facilities and lays out the constraints used to develop their solution. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. According to the research, cellular phones in a correctional facility are used to operate criminal enterprises, threaten witnesses, harass victims, plan uprisings, and undermine security. Their problem is monitoring, controlling, and locating cellular phones in a correctional facility.
EVI’s possible solutions include physical search, non-linear junction detectors, signal jamming, shielding, network provider location-based screening, RF detection, and their custom proprietary solution. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. They rule out all solutions but their own custom solution that uses a system of networked sensors that are controlled by a central computer. EVI uses proprietary software that determines the cell phone’s location and detects any RF emissions. The location of detected cellular devices is displayed on a facility map. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
This solution was developed for detecting cellular phones in a prison. It relies on the cellular phone remaining stationary which, in prison facilities makes sense since movement is limited. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. EVI’s detection system finds cellular phones after they have already been in the facility for at least 30 minutes or if someone is making a cell phone call.EVI doesn’t provide any details on the signal detection technique used since it is all proprietary. Also, there are no reviews or articles stating that this system works as advertised. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
Cell Phone Detection Techniques. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
This study examines detecting cellular phones when a person is entering a secure facility or cellular phone restricted area. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. The detection technique studied requires measuring a cell phone’s electromagnetic properties and determining an identifiable signature. Measuring the RF spectrum around 240 – 400 MHz (outside the cellular phone band) shows the most potential.
The DOE Contractor recommends developing a cellular phone detector by measuring the RF spectrum. Spurious emissions from cellular phones are monitored and recorded when the phone is in standby or transmitting. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables. Using this method has some advantages:
- No external signal required for detecting the phone
- The band of frequencies is limited by the FCC and are likely to be used by most manufacturers. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
- System could potentially detect more than cellular phones
- This method should work on future generations of cellular phones
- The system could potentially detect cellular phones even when they are off. Cell Phone Signal Detector Miami Beach Coral Gables.
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