Analog Metal Detector with Beat-Frequency Detection
December 2024
Designed a metal detector built on dual LC oscillators, mixers, and multi-stage MOSFET amplifiers, with biasing optimized for maximum gain and a clear, audible beat-frequency shift on metal detection.
- Laid out the PCB in Altium Designer, integrating all analog stages on one custom board
- Verified performance through LTspice simulation and oscilloscope measurements, confirming signal accuracy
Later reinforced as a teaching example while TAing ESE 3190’s active-circuits lab — students built their own version of the same LC-oscillator and MOSFET-amplifier concepts.
Notes
Add board photos, oscilloscope captures, or the schematic here.