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Innovations in Telecommunication and Automation |
Radar Detector Detector MD-3/D
Radar Detector Detector MD-3/D |
The Radar Detector Detector was designed to help enforce laws regulating the use of radar detectors.
Radar detectors are illegal in many countries. In the US they are illegal in commercial vehicles and also in cars in some states. In Canada they are illegal in the Eastern provinces for all vehicles.
The MD3-3/D detects the presence
of a radar detector and additionally gives information about its location.
This information is presented in two semicircle red LED bars and two sets
of audio signals.
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Upon start-up the system's microprocessor goes through a short test cycle testing the lights and playing the five tones associated with the five levels of signal strength (tones are tuned to C', D', F', G' and A').
Then it performs an auto calibration, measuring the microwave background radiation in all four quadrants (two frequency bands and two directions) and defining the relative zero point there. The unit is now ready for operation. Measured radiation levels will only cause an alarm, if the signal strength is above this zero-level.
When a vehicle with a radar detector on board approaches from the left, the lowest red LED on the left semicircle will activate first, accompanied by three low beeps. As the vehicle comes closer, the second LED from the bottom also activates and the tone changes to three beeps of a higher pitch. The three beeps repeat as long as the signal strength remains constant. As the microwave signal level increases, so does the pitch of the tone and the next red LEDs light up.
As the vehicle progresses to the right, the LEDs of the right semi-circle will start to lighten up. While this right side indicates more and more signal amplitude caused by the passing vehicle, the left side will decrease in intensity. When the vehicle drives away, the right side lights will switch off one by one until all lights are off.
Simultaneously with the lights two sets of sounds are generated. The left side correspondents to the lower octave and the right side to the higher octave (two different penta scales) .
Visual contact with the display is not necessary since the sounds provide the same information as the display. It takes a little practice to correlate the sight and sound to a particular vehicle in denser traffic conditions. The dynamic change of the alarm pattern in the presence of a moving car usually establishes a clear target.
The 50 mm antennas provide good directivity for spatial discrimination between cars. The dual antenna concept allows for much better spatial resolution of the signal source compared to a single beam receiver.
The blue LED on the bottom transmits
an optical data stream when a signal is present which can be used to document
the acquired signals. The data stream can be picked up with a photo sensor
(and some additional hardware) and read by a laptop computer via the serial
port. This light also fades in and out every ten seconds if no radar activity
is detected to confirm the proper operation of the microprocessor and that
the unit is ready for microwave reception.
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In this picture five red lights on the left and four on the right side are lit. The bottom light is blue. |
Technical data:
The operating voltage is 12 Volt DC (from the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle), the unit will work between approximately 10 V and 15 V.
The average current is about 500 mA (milliampere) with signal present and about 240 mA without signal.
This unit is protected against over-voltage (spikes), over-current and reverse polarity.
The antennas are decoupled from the local oscillators by two microwave transistors and filters in each of the two receivers to help prevent its detection by Radar Detector Detector Detectors.
The device measures approximately 152 mm x 172 mm x 65 mm (6'' x 6 3/4'' x 2.5') including knobs.
Mounting options include windshield and dashboard mounting. A steel bracket and screws are provided. The steel bracket can be bend by hand to adapt to different dashboard angles.
Development, production and service
is in Central Texas. The MD-3/D has a warranty of one year.
Additional info:
The MD-3/D can also be used for: