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TSCM NLJD REI Orion Orion 2.4 →
The device consists of three parts: (1) a highly directional circular polarised
antenna with a readout (display), (2) an extendible telescopic boom, and (3) a
main unit, mounted together as a single device.
The main unit contains a 1 GHz transmitter an two receivers (for the 2nd and
3rd harmonics respectively), separated by a diplexer.
The physical design is unique in that the device can be folded
in such a way that it can be stowed inside the transit case without
disconnecting any parts. The coaxial cable that connects the main unit to
the antenna, is rolled up automatically.
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A non-linear junction detector
(NLJD) can be used to find electronic
circuits, even when they are not switched on. The principle is based
on the non-linear properties of electronic seminductors — typically
transistors, diodes and integrated circuits — that are present in
virtually every covert listening device (bug).
When illuminating a semiconductor with a high frequency (approx. 1 GHz here),
it will re-radiate harmonics of that frequency, in particular the
2nd and 3rd harmonic. The same effect can be observed with corroded
materials, such as a rusty nail hidden inside a wall.
The NJE-4000 is based on the same principle as the
British Broom, invented by
Charles Bovill in the UK.
He developed the principle during WWII as a method for finding corrosion
on the body of an airplane. Like the Broom's successor
— the SuperBroom —
the NJE-4000 listens to both
the second and the third harmonic of the illumination frequency, so that true
electronic devices can be discriminated from (corroded) metals.
The NJE-4000 was available in 2011 for a list price of USD 18,579 [1].
It was succeeded in 2015 by Orion 2.4 which offers
spread spectrum at 2.4 GHz.
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NJE = Non-linear Junction Evaluator.
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HGO = High-Gain Orion.[Subheading]
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The image below provides an overview of the features of the
Orion NJE-4000. At the left is the main unit
which contains the transmitter, the receivers, a diplexer and a
microprocessor-based controller. Powered by a
standard Ni-MH camera battery, it can be recharged within an hour.
At the top right is the circular antenna, which
consists of a patented circular polarised spiral slot antenna and a hinged
display that shows the current mode and the strength of the
signals. The main unit is connected to the antenna by means of
a high-quality coaxial cable that is guided through the telescopic
boom. A unique feature of the device is that this cable also carries
power and data for the display unit.
The surplus of the coaxial cable is held on a spring-loaded
reel that is integrated with the antenna. When the boom is extended,
the cable is automatically taken from the reel. When the boom is
retracted, the cable is automatically rolled up by a spring-mechanism.
When using the device, the display shows three vertical bars:
a green one, a red one and a yellow one. The green bar shows the
strength of the transmitted signal, whilst the red and yellows
bars show the strength of the returned 2nd and 3rd harmonics.
By observing the ratio between the red and yellow bars, electronic
devices (which return a stronger 2nd harmonic) can be discriminated
from corroded materials (which return a stronger 3rd harmonic).
Suitable test tags are provided.
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The device was available in two basic versions:
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- NJE-4000
Basic version of the device, sold on the international market and nicknamed
The Hunter.
NJE means Non-linear Junction Evaluator, which is
REI's name for a
Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD).
Complies with FCC regulations and has a power output of 1.4W ERP.
- HGO-4000
High-Gain government-only version.
HGO means High-Gain Orion.
It is the same device as above, but has a higher output of 3 W ERP
and is capable of finding smaller bugs.
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In addition there is a US national variant and an international variant,
with the latter having a wider frequency range. The international variant does
not comply with American FCC regulations.
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Below is the block diagram of the Orion NJE-4000. At the left is the
microprocessor controlled transceiver. It is connected to the antenna
assembly via a single coaxial cable that carries the RF signals
as well as the digital signals for the display. Note that additional
filtering is present (not shown here) to separate the digital signals
from the RF signal, as otherwise the antenna would detect the
display electronics and eroneously identify it as a possible listening
device (bug).
Apart from the visual feedback in the form of the display that is mounted
on the antenna, the device provides acoustic feedback by providing the
demodulated output from its receiver, directly to the provided
headphones. The headphones can
be connected directly to the main unit, but may also be carried wirelessly
by using the provided infrared (IR) receiver.
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When unused, the Orion NJE-4000 can be stowed in the
plastic transit case shown in the image on the right.
The case is very similar to the one of the OSCOR 5000
bug finder.
The case has a hard-foam interior with customised cut-outs,
so that each part is properly protected during transport. The
case offers space for the NLJD plus all of its accessories and
documentation.
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The actual NLJD is stowed in the rear section of the
transit case. Its patented design allows the unit
to be folded in such a way that it occupies minimum space,
as shown in the image on the right. All the user has to do,
is fold-out the antenna and the main unit, extend the boom
to the desired length, and tilt the display.
The unit is powered by a standard Ni-MH camera battery that is
fitted behind a hinged door
at the main unit. Spare batteries
are supplied as well.
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The unit is powered by a common 7.2V Ni-MH camera battery,
which was freely available from various suppliers at the time.
7.2V Ni-MH, 90 x 53 x 19 mm, 214 g
Four batteries were supplied with the device.
Please note that in most cases the existing batteries will have
lost (most of) their capacity, as they are now more than 10 years old.
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Dual fast charger
DFC-4000MH
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The 7.2V Ni-MH could be charged with the fast battery charger shown
in the image on the right. It has two independent bays, and can be used to
charge two batteries simultaneously.
A battery should be recharged in approx. 1 hour.
The charger itself is powered by the 90-250V AC mains for which a suitable
mains cable was supplied.
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For acoustic feedback the demodulated audio from the receiver can be
monitored on this pair of low-leakage headphones that is provided as
part of the kit. It has a 3 mm jack at the end of its cable, allowing
it to be connected to the socket at the control panel on the main unit.
Alternatively, the headphones could be connected to the supplied
infrared receiver (see below).
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Instead of connecting the headphones directly to the
main unit, it was possible to use the provided infrared receiver
shown in the image on the right. It is powered by two batteries,
and allows the operator(s) to move more freely.
The matching infrared transmitter is already present in the main unit.
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In order to test the device, and also for training the operator,
two tags are supplied as part of the kit. One tag (green)
is a real semiconductor (diode) that returns a stronger 2nd
harmonic when illuminated by the device.
The other tag (white) contains steel wool and returns a stronger
3rd harmonic when illuminated.
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In this presentation Lee Jones, sales and marketing director at Research Electronics
International, gives a brief introduction of the Orion NJE-4000 at the 2011
National Safety Conference held in California (USA).
The device is presented in this video as a method
for detecting and locating contraband electronic equipment such as cell phones,
WiFi devices and BlueTooth accessories, in prisons.
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Device Non-Linear Junction Detector Purpose Detection and location of electronic devices Family Orion Model NJE-4000 Manufacturer Research Electronics International NSN 6625-01-493-9785 Frequency 880 - 1005 MHz (US: 902.2 - 927.8 MHz) Output 14 mW - 1.4 W ERP Spectrum 3 kHz (CW) Harmonics 2nd: 1760 - 2010 MHz, 3rd: 2640 - 3015 MHz Detection AM, FM, 20 kHz Pulse Power 7.2V (NiMH camera battery) Sensitivity -133 dBm Weight 1540 g
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- US Patent 5,815,122
Slot spiral antenna with integrated balun and feed
University of Michigan, Filed 11 January 1996.
- US Patent 6,057,765
Non-Linear Junction Detector
Research Electronics International, Filed 7 October 1998.
- US Patent 6,163,259
Pulse transmitting non-linear junction detector
Research Electronics International, Filed 4 June 1999.
- UK Patent 2344423
Non-linear junctions detector using re-radiated electromagnetic waves
Research Electronics International, Filed 5 October 1999.
- UK Patent 2381077
A method of detecting non-linear junctions using re-radiated electromagnetic signs
Research Electronics International, Filed 2 June 2000.
- UK Patent 2381078
A method of detecting non-linear junctions using re-radiated electromagnetic signs
Research Electronics International, Filed 2 June 2000.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 16 March 2023. Last changed: Monday, 20 March 2023 - 17:29 CET.
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