MOBILE PHONE JAMMER DESIGN

Prepared for
Dr. M. K. Satyarthi
Project supervisor
Training and Placement Officer
USICT, GGSIP University

Prepared by
Subodh Kumar Sharma
08116412812
Vipin Kumar
07616412812
The Department of Electronic and Communication Engineering
USICT, GGSIP University

GGSIP University, Electronic and Communication

Engineering Department

Acknowledgement
I would like to offer my special and endless thanks to my supervisor Dr. M. K. Satyarthi,Training
and Placement Officer, USICT,GGSIP University for his help, guidance, support and encourage throughout
my study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1.Background & Problem

..................................................... ....1
1.2.Purpose ..1
1.3.Significance 1
1.4.Scope .........1
1.5.Sources & Methods ..1
1.6.Summary ...2
1.7.Organization ....2
2. DISCUSSION of FINDINGS

2.1.Stages of the project...........3

2.1.1.The first stage of the project-Phase 1 ..............3
2.1.1.1.Researching Literature ..3
2.1.1.2.Determining Operational Parameters .........4
a 1) Frequency band.4
b 1) Distance to be jammed5
c 1) Free Space Loss(Path Loss) (F).5
2.1.1.3.Power Calculation..5
2.1.2. The second stage of the Project-Phase 2.. 9
2.1.2.1.Determining the compatibility of the theory and practice.9
2.1.2.2.Determining the design components..10
a 2) THE IF SECTION.. 11
b 2) THE RF SECTION ..13
2.1.2.3.Assembling the mobile phone jammer for 900 MHz network...14
2.1.2.4.Conducting tests...14

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3. CONCLUSIONS 14
4. COST OF THE DEVICE...15
5.WHAT CAN BE DONE MORE?.......................................................... 15
REFERENCES ...16

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1.INTRODUCTION
1.1.Background & Problem
We have experienced a boom in the number of mobile phone users in recent years. This has
caused the need of a more efficient and controllable signal transmission in some environment such as
library, hospital or conference room where silence is required.For this aim, the usage of mobile
phone jammers have been growed up. Mobile phone jammer is a transmitter that disrupts the
communication between base stations and mobile phones. Today, mobile jammer devices are
becoming civilian products rather than electronic warfare devices.
1.2.Purpose
In this project, we attempted the design and development of mobile phone jammer for GSM
900. We aimed to determine system parameters, make power calculations for device, and compare
our parameters and power calculations with the reality. Additionally, we planed to establish system
desing and assemble a device and lastly conduct some tests.
1.3.Significance
Designing mobile phone jammer is a hard issue in Turkey. In literature, we can not find
almost no study related to this topic. So, if we achieve to design a jammer at the end of this project,
this will make an important contribution to the people wanting to study on this topic.
1.4.Scope
In this project, we worked on one of the networks to jam, not on all networks. GSM 900 was
dealt with, but not GSM 1800 or CDMA 1900.
1.5.Sources & Methods
While dealing with this project, primary and secondary sources were used. Some research
was done and studies and analysis on this topic were obtained. Later, as a primary source, some
experiments were carried out and lastly a hardware design was implemented.

1.6.Summary
At the end of the project, we could achieve to assemble a mobile phone jammer for 900
MHz network.
1.7.Organization
In this report, firstly the stages of the project are mentioned. The all process is analysed in
detailed.In the following parts, the results obtained by the end of the project and the cost information
are mentioned respectively. In the last part, how the project can be improved is debated.

2.

DISCUSSION of FINDINGS
Mobile jammer is a device which disturbs the communication between the mobile base station
and mobile equipment by transmitting the noise signal at the frequency, on which both are trying to
communicate with each other. Firstly, jammers were invented to prevent the communication between
the army personnels of enemy and in time they developed into civilian life. The technology behind
the mobile jammer is overpowering the mobile phone signals and decreasing the SNR( Signal to
Noise Ratio)for mobile communication.
2.1.Stages of the Project
Our project mainly consists of two different stages, Stage 1 and Stage 2.
2.1.1.The first stage of the project- Phase 1
Stage 1 is the part of that I tried to understand the logic and working principle
behind a mobile phone jammer. For this reason, this part consists of researching literature as a first
step and determining the operational parameters as a second step. Lastly, in the framework of this
data, some power calculations have been carried out.
2.1.1.1. Researching Literature
Five types of devices are known to have been developed (or being
considered for development) for preventing mobile phones communications in certain specified
locations.
TypeADevices: jammers. It contains several independent oscillators transmitting
jamming signals that block frequencies used by mobile communication devices for call
establishment.

Type B Devices: intelligent cellular disablers. The device normally works as a detector. When it
detects signaling from the base station to the mobile station, it signals the base station not to establish
communication. This process of detection and interruption of call establishment is done during the
interval normally reserved for signaling and handshaking.
TypeCDevices: intelligent beacon disablers. These devices act as beacons, i.e. they instruct
any mobile device within their area of coverage to disable its ringer or disable its operation. The
problem is that these types of devices require intelligent handsets.
Type D Devices: Direct Receive and Transmit Jammers. They behave as a small independent
base station. The jammer is predominantly in receiving mode and will intelligently choose to interact
and block the cell phone directly if it is within close proximity of the jammer.
Type E Devices: EMI Shield Passive Jamming. This technique uses Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI) suppression techniques to construct what is called a Faraday cage. The Faraday
cage essentially blocks all electromagnetic radiation from entering or leaving the cage.
The technique we will use in our project is the first one called Denial of Service

2.1.1.2.Determining Operational Parameters

We needed to determine some parameters which affect the performance of
a mobile jammer. These parameters can be categorized into 3 groups.
a 1) Frequency band
Frequency band is an important factor for us, since we first of all need to decide on
which frequency we will transmit our jamming signal. In mobile communication, there is
a technology called FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing). This means that for a network,
one part of the frequency band is allocated to uplink signals (from mobile phone to the
base station), another part is allocated to downlink signals (from base station to the
mobile phone). Thanks to this technology, we can talk and listen simultaneously on the
phone. In our project, we jammed downlink band since we are so remote from base

station generally. This means that it is so much easy to jam the signals from base station
to the mobile phone. These bands work out at 935-960 for GSM 900.
b 1) Distance to be jammed
As the distance increases, the total power we need to jam a mobile phone increases
proportionally.
c 1) Free Space Loss(Path Loss) (F)
As our jamming signal travels through the air, it will attenuate. There are some factors
affecting the magnitude of FSL. These factors can be seen in the calculation formula of
FSL.
F(dB)=32.44+20log(distance in km)+20log(frequency in MHz)
Derivation of Free Space Loss formula

FSL= (4d)/)2 = (4df)/c)2

=Signal wavelength (in meters)
f=Signal frequency (in Hertz)
d=Distance from the transmitter (in meters)
c=Speed of light in vacuum (in meters/second) c=3*108

FSL(dB)=10*log10(4df)/c)2

20*log10(4df)/c)
( in our calculation; d is in km and f is in MHz)

FSL(dB)=20*log10(d)+20*log10(f)
+20*log10(4103106 /c

2.1.1.3.Power Calculation
After determining the design parameters, we needed to know how much
power approximately we will need to achieve jamming.

As a jamming signal, we needed a signal that its frequeny spectrum can cover
all frequencies in a specific range. A White Gaussian Noise can model this in a best way.
( Figure1: Noise Power Spectral Density)

W
Pn =Sn(f)df= No*W (Noise Power in a restricted bandwidth)
-w

(Signal to noise ratio) SNR= s/No,

s/T = Ps,

1/T W ( s: Energy of message signal, W: Bandwidth)

SNR=Ps/Pn (Ps=signal power, Pn=noise power)
SNR=Ps/Pn=(sW)/(N0W)=Ps/(N0W)
No=k*T at T=2930K,
k=1.38*10-23 J/K (k:Boltzman Constant) No 4*1021

SNR(max)=30 dB for GSM

30 dB=10*log10(Ps/Pn)

No*W)

Ps=Pn*1000 (Pn=

Ps/W=No*1000 (Watt/Hz)
(Signal Power Density)
No*1000=Signal Power Density=Interference
Signal Power Density
In GSM network,

The spectrum is divided into 200 kHz channels.(FDMA)

The hopping sequence may use up to 64 different

carrier frequencies (frequency hopping )
So, Hopping Bandwith=64*200 kHz=12.8 Mhz

(Figure2: Noise Spectral Density in a Restricted Bandwith)

According to this;

Interference

Power=No*1000*64*200kHz(W)=5.12*10-11 (W)
For GSM 900 network;

Signal

(Figure3: Power Spectral Density of Message Signal in GSM 900)

In all 935-960 Mhz band; to jam max.100 m distance:

Interference Signal Power=No*1000*25 Mhz=10-10(W)=
-70dBm
FSL(dB)=20log(0.1)+20log(960)+32.44=72.04 dB
Total power from jammer= -70 dBm + 72.04 dB= 2.04
dBm
= 1.5 mW
This calculations are so rough, because we did not take the multi fading, reflectionrefraction
effects into account.

2.1.2.The second stage of the Project-Phase 2

we determined the compatibility of the theory and practice, determined the
design components of mobile phone jammer, established the system design, and trying to
implement the hardware configuration. assembled a device for 900 MHz networks and will
conducte some test.
2.1.2.2.Determining the design components

(Figure 6: Block Diagram of a Mobile Phone Jammer)

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a 2) THE IF SECTION
The IF design of the mobile phone jammer just consists of a Triangle Wave
Generator. (to tune the VCO in the RF section)
a 2-1) Triangle Wave Generator
The cheapest and easiest way of producing a triangle wave is to use a 555 timer in
astable vibration mode. A schematic of 555 timer can be seen in the following figure.

(Figure 7: Schematic of 555 Timer)

(Figure 8: 555 Timer)

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(Figure 9: 555 Timer in Astable Vibration Mode)

( Figure 10: Pin Connection of 555 Timer in Astable Mode)

Initially, when the power is turned on, the capacitor C is uncharged and thus the trigger voltage at
pin 2 is 0 V. This causes the output of the lower comprator to be high and the output of the upper
comprator to be low, forcing the output of the flip flop, and thus the base of discharge transistor low

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and keeping the transistor off. Then, C begins charging through Ra and Rb (Figure 9). When the
capacitor voltage reaches to Vcc/3, the lower comprator switches to its low ouput state, and when the
capacitor voltage reaches to 2Vcc/3, the upper comprator switches to its high output state. This sets
the flip flop high output and transistor on. Now, the capacitor discharges through R2 and discharge
transistor. When it discharges to Vcc/3, the lower comprator switches to high, and the output
becomes zero and transistor off. And this process repeats itselfs. So, we can get a triangle wave from
the pin 2.
In our project, we needed a duty cycle, meaning that charging time equals with the discharging time.
For this aim, we simply connected a diode parellel with Rb and also Ra must be equal to Rb.
Oscillation frequency (f)= 1.44/(Ra+Rb)*C
b 2) THE RF SECTION
The RF part consists of
Voltage Controlled Oscillator
Power Amplifier

( Figure 11.Complete Block Diagram of 900 MHz Mobile Phone Jammer)

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2.1.2.3.Assembling the mobile phone jammer for 900 MHz network

(Figure 12.Printed Circuit Board of 900 MHz Jammer)

2.1.2.4.Conducting tests

3.

CONCLUSIONS

.
4. COST OF THE DEVICE
Circuit elements(555 timer,capacitors,resistors) ~ 250 Rs.
VCO ~ 115 Rs.
Power Amplifier: provided from cell phone
The cost of the PCB ~ 800 Rs.
Total cost = ~ 1200 Rs.
5.WHAT CAN BE DONE MORE?
Our device is cumbersome .It is just transmitting a jamming signal in all 900 MHz downlink
frequency band.Using an FPGA card,device performance can be increased.Additionaly,instead of
transmitting power in all freqency band,a smart jammer which transmits according to frequency
usage of user can be designed for the power saving .

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REFERENCES
1) Boylestad, Rober L. & Nashelsky, Louis,Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory,
9th Ed., Prentice Hall,2006
2) Mishra, N.K.; , Development of GSM - 900 Mobile Jammer: An approach to
overcome existing limitation of jammer, Wireless Communication and Sensor
Networks (WCSN), 2009 Fifth IEEE Conference on , pp.1-4, 15-19 Dec. 2009
3) Shah, S.W.; Babar, M.I.; Arbab, M.N.; Yahya, K.M.; Ahmad, G.; Adnan, T.;
Masood, A.; , Cell phone jammer, Multitopic Conference, 2008. INMIC 2008. IEEE
International, pp.579-580, 23-24 Dec. 2008
4) Proakis, John G., Digital Communications, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2001

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR): In analog and digital communications, signal-to-noise ratio, often written S/N or
SNR, is a measure of signal strength relative to background noise.
Fading: In wireless and mobie communication systems, signal is attenuated by the propagation
media and this affect is called fading.
Free Space Loss: The free space path loss, also known as FSPL is the loss in signal strength that occurs
when an electromagnetic wave travels over a line of sight path in free space.
IF: In communications and electronic engineering, an intermediate frequency (IF) is a frequency to which
a carrier frequency is shifted as an intermediate step in transmission or reception.
RF: Radio frequency (RF) is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to
the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals.

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