Fuller Group Security

Revised:  08/18/2005

It was  September 1997 when I first visited REI headquarters that I learned that a “new generation” digital non linear junction detector was under development.  It was so new, REI was unsure what to call it, but a year later decided upon the name “ORION” derived from the Great Hunter. 

Now into its second year of production the ORION appears to be performing well, in terms of its market appeal, durability and its operating capabilities.   This article is written to: 

	Describe how an operator might use the ORION,
	To provide security managers and executives with a non technical understanding of the machine.
	To compare the ORION’s features and performance against older analogue NLJD’s.

Principal of a Non Linear Junction Detector:

 During security inspections, a NLJD used is used to detect the presence of hidden electronics.  It does this by radiating a very pure radio frequency signal from a directional antennae and then acquiring any signal returns.  A standard NLJD might transmit at a frequency between 850 and 1000 Mhz which is in the microwave band.

If an object contains electronics, and in particular diodes and transistors, then the electronic junctions in these components become excited by the signal from the NLJD’s directional antenna.  These electronic components radiate their own frequency that is exactly twice that of the original frequency beamed at it.  This is called the 2nd Harmonic. (In reality, multiple harmonics of the original frequency are produced by the excited electronics, but the 2^nd harmonic is the largest and most useful in terms of detection and reading by a NLJD.)

One difficulty in using a NLJD is that oxidized metal such as rust and certain metal junctions also produce harmonic frequencies when placed under a NLJD antennae. We call these “false junctions.”   Fortunately, the harmonics produced by these false metal junctions produce a strong harmonic at three times the original frequency.  This is called the 3^rd Harmonic.  Paperclips, keys and nails that touch each other will produce third harmonics.  You can imagine all the false metal junctions in concrete formwork and office partitions!

So in principle when operating the ORION or any other NLJD, a strong 2^nd Harmonic signals might well indicate the presence of an electronic junction.  A strong 3^rd Harmonic might indicate a corrosive metal or false junction that contains no electronics.

 History of Non Linear Junction Detectors:

From what I have discovered during my research, NLJDs have been used for over 20 years.  They were developed to search for eavesdropping devices during the Cold War.  The original units were analogue and could receive only the 2nd harmonic.   They were extraordinarily heavy and sometimes required two operators.  American, Russian and UK companies produced them over a period of time some radiating up to 5 watts of power.

Nowadays NLJD technology is also used by department stores that “tag” items on public display.  This tag must be removed or an alarm will sound when the article is passed through the two security poles at the shop’s exit.

A further advance for security sweeping and debugging was the development of a NLJD that would also receive the 3rd harmonic.  This provided the operator with improved knowledge about an object being investigated.  However, the control box and battery were still large and heavy, often around 10 kilos.  The control box was generally slung over the operator’s shoulder.

Enter the Orion NLJD:

Research Electronics International (REI) developed the Orion after closely looking at the requirements of the security industry and a review of the existing NLJDs available.  REI wished to develop a lightweight and technically advanced machine that did so much more than the others.  It may have taken REI engineers two years to develop, but they did so.

Opening the Orion’s black attaché case, one could be forgiven for thinking that Orion was indeed some mystical science fiction gadget.  Rather it is a very sophisticated electronic transmitter and receiver that is at the forefront of both physics research and espionage detection.

The matt black ORION lays folded in a cradle surrounded by accessories that include a dual battery charger, four rechargeable video camera batteries, power cables, an innovative infra red headset transmitter/receiver and an optional tool case containing an assortment of useful investigation implements.  An instruction manual and two test/calibration tags are also included.

Perhaps my favorite part of demonstrating the ORION is watching the faces of potential clients when I remove the machine.  It lifts out of the cradle with two fingers, the computer base swivels outwards and at the same time the antennae head revolves around, the visual display pops up as the first of the three extensions is pushed out.  One could be excused for thinking they were some part of that science fiction movie!

For those who have seen older NLJDs before, there is general amazement at how small and light this unit is.  And after a while potential clients realize how robust the ORION is in both design and operation.

Features and Operation:

 I like to think of the ORION as comprising three parts:

	The antennae head and visual display
	The extension arm
	The transceiver/computer and battery

The circular antennae head is covered in tough black plastic. The ORION’s  antenna head is the first to contain a circularly polarized antenna. Most other NLJDs are linearly polarized meaning the transmit and receive antennas are at 90 degrees to each other.

 Polarized antenna NLJD’s have a major problem in that the operator must continually alternate the angle of the antennae from one orientation to another.  In effect this means that a wall or object must be inspected twice with the antenna continually positioned at a 90 degree angles.  This obviously results in a poorer quality inspection and operator fatigue.

The ORION’s circularly polarized receiving and transmitting antenna significantly reduces this problem as the antenna can be positioned to transmit and receive from any angle.  Obviously the actual alignment of the hidden electronic components is important, but again the ORION has significantly increased the chance of the component becoming excited and radiating a 2^nd harmonic frequency.

 From an operational standpoint, this means that the ORION’s antenna is significantly more sensitive to weaker signals because the alignment between the antenna head and the orientation of the object under investigation is not so critical.

Also, there is great time saving because the area does not have to be swept twice to guarantee correct polarization between antenna and object.   (REI brought to my attention that another manufacturer is marketing a NLJD with what appears to be a circular antenna, but the antenna inside is still linear.)

The power output of the ORION is programmable between 14Milliwatts and 1.4 watts.  Tests conducted by REI indicate the ORION is actually more sensitive than competing NLJD’s outputting over 3 watts of power.

The visual display sits on top of the antenna head.  Bright LEDs display such information as:

	Battery strength and power output
	If the computer has determined whether an object poses a threat or not
	Strength of the received 2nd harmonic signal
	Strength of the received 3rd harmonic signal
	Display of function modes.

The extension arm comprises of three segments providing a 9’ reach.  Each arm is held in position by a clasp to the rail.  It is lightweight and strong. 

Cleverly, the ORION has no external cables.  The control and radio frequency cables are combined into a single wire that feeds from the computer through the extension arm to a special grove surrounding the antenna head that is spring loaded.  The wire winds in and winds out- similar to a vacuum cleaner’s retractable power cord.  This in itself represents an extraordinary piece of industrial design.

The computer and battery compartment are incorporated into a thick notepad sized metal enclosure measuring about 5” by 7”.  Overall the unit is about an inch thick.

The computer has only two input jacks- from the antenna cable and for headphones.

A row of 8 rubbery buttons controls the operating functions and menus of the ORION.  These buttons are labeled: 

	ON/OFF
	Search
	Identification
	Listen
	Set
	Function
	Up and Down Toggle Button
	Auto

Using the ORION:

A rechargeable video camera style battery that slots into a compartment on the lower side of the transceiver provides power for the ORION. 

Press ON and the display comes to life indicating the ORION’s software version, self test and a battery test.  The unit then begins scanning the frequency spectrum between 880 and 1005Mhz looking for the clearest channel on which to operate.  This is actually quite clever because it avoids interference from mobile telephones and other transmitters that might otherwise interfere (or vice versa) with the ORION’s operation

.

In effect, the ORION’s digital signal processing (DSP) actually removes the ambient radio frequency noise floor from its calculations, so only 2^nd and 3^rd harmonic signals will be pointed out on the display or via the headphones.

Thirty seconds later the ORION has selected the most suitable frequency for the location and immediately enters its SEARCH mode.  SEARCH mode constantly monitors both the 2nd and 3rd harmonic.

 If the electronic diode test pad supplied with the ORION is placed under the antenna the 2nd harmonic indicator is stronger than the 3rd.  If the steel wool test pad that creates a corrosive or false junction is placed under the antenna, the 3rd harmonic indicator will be stronger than the 2nd.

If both the electronic and steel wool test pads are placed under the antenna both the 2^nd and 3^rd Harmonic signals will be strong which might have led to operator uncertainty.  However it is here that REI’s research and development department have won major points.

 The ORION’s microprocessor control will actually gauge the different 2^nd and 3^rd Harmonic readings and then declare either a THREAT! or CORROSIVE reading and alert the operator to investigate an object further.

The strength of these readings is a function of several factors: 

	The power output from the ORION
	The type of electronic component or false junction detected
	The sensitivity setting of the ORION
	The TRIP or Squelch setting of the ORION

While it only takes a few minutes to accustom oneself with the machines basic operation, it is only after using the machine on a couple of sweeps that you begin to appreciate several other features designed into the units.  In particular this relates to the ability to determine what is actually inside the object.

In SEARCH mode the transmitter is pulsing to obtain peak output while at the same time maintaining the highest possible average signal strength.  At the same time the receiver is alternating to listen out for either 2^nd or 3^rd harmonic signals.  The operator can also listen via the headphones to a range of audible tones. 

If there is an indication of either a 2nd or 3rd harmonic reading from an object while in SEARCH mode, the operator is then able to perform several tests. 

The IDENTIFICATION (ID) mode radiates an uninterrupted FM continuous wave (CW) tone from the antenna and can be set to listen individually for a 2^nd or 3^rd harmonic return.   The default pitch of the FM tone is set at 1kHz.

 In ID mode, it is the audible quality or “purity” of the signal’s return that allows the operator to determine if this is indeed either a 2^nd or 3^rd harmonic return.  In itself the ID mode allows the operator tremendous range for detecting electronics, even if the signal is too small to appear on the display.

Further testing is offered via the LISTEN (LSTN) function and it is here that physics plays an important part in the operation of the ORION through what is known as the “Quieting Effect.”  The quieting effect means that the quality of a signal return will improve as you move closer to an object.  It is very similar to tuning an old car radio to a music station- towards the side of the station the signal is distorted.  When you are tuned to the station, the signal is clear. 

Likewise the LISTEN function allows the operator to listen to discriminate between different types of returns from various objects based upon the quality of the signal produced by either electronics or false junctions.  Electronics will return a very pure, clear audible signal with no interference (the quieting effect).  False junctions will return static or noisy signals.

The ORION provides the operator with the option to listen in to CW AM, CW FM and induced 20kHz AM returns for both the 2^nd and 3^rd harmonics.  In certain cases, the operator is able to hear the synchronous hum from video cameras, phase shifts in electrical fittings and telephone circuitry. 

The LISTEN function can also be used to hear and discriminate the physical breaking up of a false junction.  This might include the touching metal components in an office partition that are suddenly realigned when the wall is tapped.

 Again, clear audio indicates the presence of electronics, whilst false junctions produce audio with discernable static.

Conclusion:

By now you will have gathered that the ORION does far more than identify the location of something suspicious.  It actually allows the operator to conduct many tests to determine if electronics exist or not.    The ORION will greatly improve decision making in determining if a full physical inspection or destructive search should be carried out.

 Perhaps mindful that the ORION might still result in a destructive search that possibly should not have been carried out, REI also supplies an optional ORION toolkit that contains a range of tools, electronic cable tracers and a bore scopes.