Terminology of the field 

    Many of the terminology discussed in our website may be self-explanatory in nature, or may be completely foreign to some of the people not affliated or trained in the field of electronics. We realize that some of the literature and terms of the industry may seem conflicting at times, to some people. Hopefully, with the following information expressed in laymans terms, everyone might have a better understanding of the fields of surveillance, counter-surveillance and technical terms associated with it. 

    Our company specializes in equipment for the field of "Technical Surveillance Counter Measures", or otherwise known as TSCM. You may have heard the terms, "Counter-Surveillance", "Counter Measures", or "Debugging". All of these terms are synonymous for the field of defense against covert eavesdropping devices. 
 

Terminology and Definitions

 

AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM)

A MODULATION method of transmitting intelligence that comprises of one wave varying its amplitude (strength) onto a radio (RF) CARRIER.

 

AMPLIFIER

An electrical or electronic device used in increasing the strength of an electrical or electronic signal.

 

ANTENNA

An arrangement of a conductor, composed of wires, metal rods etc., used for transmitting or receiving RF (radio frequency) signals or waves..

 

AUDIO

Sound waves that can be perceived by the human ear.

 

AUDIO FREQUENCY

That range of frequencies, typically 1 to 20,000 hertz, that the human ear can audibly detect, or can be received with an electronic device.

 

BANDWIDTH

A range of frequencies, from lowest to highest that an amplifier can use, without creating distortion.

 

BATTERY

A group of individual electrical cells arrange together to form a larger cell, capable of supplying a current.

 

BUG

A covert listening device usually comprised of a microphone or video camera, which is secretly installed on a PREMISES to monitor conversations and transmit information to a listening post, usually by means of radio wave, in which the information could be directly monitored and/or recorded.

 

BUGGING

The process of monitoring conversations by electronic means, otherwise known as surveillance.

 

BOOT

A distribution terminal commonly used with aerial cable, that supplies RF or Audio communications information.

 

BYPASS

The alteration of a telephone instrument so that it will pass audio even with the handset on the cradle (an alteration to the hookswitch).

 

CARRIER

A term broadly used to designate a single RF frequency upon which audio signals can be impressed.

 

CENTRAL OFFICE

The telephone company's switching equipment that provides local telephone service for a given geographical area

 

CONTACT MICROPHONE

A specially constructed microphone designed to be attached directly to the surface of an outside structure, to monitor an inside premises for audio.

 

DEMODULATION

The process in which audio, video or other information signals are retrieved from an RF carrier.

 

DIGITAL

Any information in the form of a binary number system that represents data which is commonly used with microprocessors or computers..

 

DROP-IN DEVICE

A series or parallel wiretap that can easily be placed into a telephone enclosure or the telephone handset itself.

 

FIELD STRENGTH METER

An instrument used to give relative measurements of the radiation fields close to an operating transmitter.

 

FIELD STRENGTH MONITOR

An electronics instrument to give relative measurements of RF radiation fields with the ability to also DEMODULATE the signal to an EARPHONE, for monitoring.

 

FREQUENCY MODULATION

A MODULATION method of transmitting intelligence that comprises of one wave varying its frequency of a radio (RF) CARRIER.

 

HANDSET

The part of the telephone instrument used for talking and listening.

 

HARDWIRE TAP

Use of wire conductors rather than a radio transmitter to communicate information between two points.

 

HOOKSWITCH BYPASS

Switch contacts inside the telephone which remove the telephone from the line circuit when the handset is on-hook.

 

HERTZ

The international unit of frequency measurement, equal to one cycle per second.

 

IMPEDANCE

The opposition to current flow that represents the principles of RESISTANCE or reactance for a single frequency which is measured in ohms..

 

INFINITY TRANSMITTER

A transmitter designed for installation inside a telephone instrument. Such a device may be activated by remote means to amplify and transmit audio from the target premise. This system is usually associated with a telephone and or it's installed equipment.

 

INTELLIGIBILITY

The ability for a human to recognize a signal or pattern, that correlates to a physical property of that signal and that which can be understood and is comprehensible.

 

LOCAL LOOP

A pair of wires connecting a subscriber to the central office. This system may also include other designated switching equipment along that loop..

 

MICROPHONE

A device which transduces audible sounds into electrical waves, which can be amplified and recorded.

 

MODULATION

The process in which audio, video or other information signals are impressed on an RF carrier.

 

OFF HOOK

A telephone instrument in which the handset is lifted from its cradle and is typically in usage by the user.

 

ON HOOK

A telephone instrument in the position in which the handset is hung up..

 

PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE (PBX) (PABX)

Similar to a central office exchange but smaller.  PBX systems act as a secondary exchange which is specialized to the customer and or the equipment it is hooked up to. A typical PBX can accommodate many subscribers to many different physical telephone lines.  See CENTRAL OFFICE.

 

PAIR

Two individual wires, usually enclosed in a sheathed casing, commonly found in telephone systems. Commonly, a telephone uses the Red and Green wires for telecommunications..

 

PARALLEL

A electrical term used when a wire pair is attached across both wires.

 

PARASITIC DEVICE

A device that obtains its power from the line or pair that it is attached to. Generally referred to telephone line and/or equipment.

 

PEDESTAL

A splice box or case for distribution wiring or cables, that contains terminals for wiring connections.

 

PIN HOLE CAMERA

A small tiny hole, drill or otherwise that encompasses the viewing lens needed to transfer video information of a surveillance premise.

 

PREMISE(S)

This is the individuals space in which all communications, oral, written or otherwise occurs.

 

(RF) RADIO FREQUENCY

Electro-magnetic waves used in radio communications to carry information.

 

(RF PROBE) RADIO FREQUENCY PROBE

A device designed to receive radio waves, which usually has an antenna, and can be used in a remote location, transferring those waves down a transmission path or cable to a receiver.

 

RECEIVER

An electronic or electrical radio signal reception and demodulation device.

 

RESISTANCE

The opposition of a conductor to the flow of direct current, whether used in direct or alternating current readings, and is measured in ohms.

 

SINGLE SIDE BAND

A modulation method containing information on only one side of the band of an amplitude of a signal.

 

SERIES

An electrical term used when a wire pair is attached across 1 wire in a pair.

 

SPREAD SPECTRUM

A modulation method that uses a large bandwidth area, usually several megahertz wide, to relay information. This method is commonly used as a counter-measure to stop simple receivers from eavesdropping on the relayed information.

 

SURVEILLANCE COUNTER-MEASURES

COUNTER-SURVEILLANCE

DEBUGGING

The art of using electronic equipment, ideas and actions to protect the privacy of an individuals and/or companies premises.

 

TAP

A covert listening device installed on a telephone line to be monitored at a remote location. See WIRETAP.

 

TELEPHONE LINE LOAD ANALYZER_TM

An electronic piece of test equipment designed to monitor changes or anomalies in a telephone line.

See more information on our products page.

 

TERMINAL BLOCK

Point at which individual telephone instruments are connected to the interior phone lines of a building.

 

TERMINAL BOX or NID

Point at which telephone lines are spliced or connected to a cable. Otherwise known as a Network Interface Device (NID) or MA Bell Entrance Box.

 

TRANSMITTER

 A device that radiates RF energy, that sends modulated information or data electronically to another location..

 

TRUNK LINE

The main cable that carries multiple pairs, which can include voice or data communications, that is run to the central office.

 

TSCM

Technical Surveillance Counter Measures; Also known as debugging. The technical field of specialized electronics technicians using electronic equipment, ideas and actions to protect the privacy and security of an individuals and/or companies premises. 

 

VOLT(age)

The international basic unit of electrical energy.

 

WIRETAP or TAP

A covert listening device installed on a telephone line to monitor conversations and transmit information to a listening post, in which the information could be directly monitored and/or recorded.