Cell phone signal detection part 3

High frequency signals are so mysterious! How to design PCBs around them, how to detect the signal, how to usefully process…
I’ve ordered some building block parts to string together a detection circuit in the 700MHz to 2.8GHz frequency range. I’m starting with an evaluation board from Analog Devices.
I decided to go with an evaluation board because I’ve heard all sorts of dire warnings about board layouts making your circuits not work. On every chip manufacturer site (ie: Analog, Maxim etc.) there is a nice tutorial about PCB layout for RF PCBs.
I also ordered a quad band antenna from Spark Fun, which I’ll try and directly couple to the eval board. If the signal is too low, I’ve ordered an RF amplifier to raise it up.
I’m excited! Stay tuned…

Link to the first post in this series
Link to the second post in this series