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Title: Susceptibility study of audio recording devices to electromagnetic stimulations

Abstract

Little research has been performed to study how intentional electromagnetic signals may couple into recording devices. An electromagnetic susceptibility study was performed on an analog tape recorder, a digital video camera, a wired computer microphone, and a wireless microphone system to electromagnetic interference. Devices were subjected to electromagnetic stimulations in the frequency range of 1-990 MHz and field strengths up to 4.9 V/m. Carrier and message frequencies of the stimulation signals were swept, and the impacts of device orientation and antenna polarization were explored. Message signals coupled into all devices only when amplitude modulated signals were used as stimulation signals. Test conditions that produced maximum sensitivity were highly specific to each device. Only narrow carrier frequency ranges could be used for most devices to couple messages into recordings. A basic detection technique using cross-correlation demonstrated the need for messages to be as long as possible to maximize message detection and minimize detection error. Analysis suggests that detectable signals could be coupled to these recording devices under realistic ambient conditions.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Missouri University of Science and Technology,, Rolla, MO
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1204076
Report Number(s):
SAND2014-0560
498790
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Halligan, Matthew S., Grant, Steven L., and Beetner, Daryl G. Susceptibility study of audio recording devices to electromagnetic stimulations. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.2172/1204076.
Halligan, Matthew S., Grant, Steven L., & Beetner, Daryl G. Susceptibility study of audio recording devices to electromagnetic stimulations. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1204076
Halligan, Matthew S., Grant, Steven L., and Beetner, Daryl G. 2014. "Susceptibility study of audio recording devices to electromagnetic stimulations". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1204076. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1204076.
@article{osti_1204076,
title = {Susceptibility study of audio recording devices to electromagnetic stimulations},
author = {Halligan, Matthew S. and Grant, Steven L. and Beetner, Daryl G.},
abstractNote = {Little research has been performed to study how intentional electromagnetic signals may couple into recording devices. An electromagnetic susceptibility study was performed on an analog tape recorder, a digital video camera, a wired computer microphone, and a wireless microphone system to electromagnetic interference. Devices were subjected to electromagnetic stimulations in the frequency range of 1-990 MHz and field strengths up to 4.9 V/m. Carrier and message frequencies of the stimulation signals were swept, and the impacts of device orientation and antenna polarization were explored. Message signals coupled into all devices only when amplitude modulated signals were used as stimulation signals. Test conditions that produced maximum sensitivity were highly specific to each device. Only narrow carrier frequency ranges could be used for most devices to couple messages into recordings. A basic detection technique using cross-correlation demonstrated the need for messages to be as long as possible to maximize message detection and minimize detection error. Analysis suggests that detectable signals could be coupled to these recording devices under realistic ambient conditions.},
doi = {10.2172/1204076},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1204076}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}