Detection of Super Regenerative Receiver Using Amplitude Modulated Stimulation

Super regenerative receivers (SRRs) are utilized in a number of electronic devices and detecting their presence from extended distances is critical for many applications. This paper describes a new technique to detect such devices from extended distances by utilizing the fact that the frequency of the SRR quench oscillator is dependent on the power of the stimulating signal. This technique is a coherent active detection technique, based on modulated stimulation. The SRR is stimulated with an amplitude modulated signal which causes the emissions to become frequency modulated. The recorded emissions are then frequency demodulated and match-filtered with the modulating signal for robust detection. This detection technique is a coherent technique that is not affected by other noncoherent signals in the spectrum, and as such outperforms amplitude detection techniques in terms of success of detection and range.