|
|
|
|
|
|
Wire-line bug detector
Orchidea-2 (Russian: ОРХИДЕЯ-2) 1 is a device for finding
covert listening devices (bugs)
on wire lines – like the power and telecom networks –
developed during the Cold War
in the former Soviet Union (USSR).
The device features a 40/400 Hz signal generator
and has a built-in oscilloscope.
|
The device was used for finding devices that are connected to a line,
have non-linear voltage / current properties, consume
more than 100 µA and have a capacity of less than 50,000 pF.
Lines are tested with a 5V or 90V signal from an internal sinewave generator
with a frequency of 40 — 70 or 330 — 430 Hz.
It requires the line-under-test
to be isolated (i.e. power-less). If the device detects a voltage of 100 — 380V,
it will turn itself off. The output is presented on a small internal
cathode ray tube (CRT) oscilloscope on which a lissajous figure is visible during the test.
|
|
|
During the test, all known devices are first removed from the line.
Any non-linearities will then be visible as disturbances of a
(normally smooth) lissajous figure. Such disturbances are typically
caused by parasitic devices that are connected to the line, such as a
covert listening device (bug) that draws current from the line and/or
uses the line for transportation of its intelligence (audio).
Orchidea-2 was developed in the Soviet Union in the early 1980s and was
in production for the remainder of the Cold War. It was deployed in all
countries of the former USSR (including Russia) and in most countries
of the former Warsaw Pact, including the former DDR (East-Germany),
where it was used by the
Ministerium für Staatssischerheit (MfS),
also known as the Stasi
[1].
|
-
ОРХИДЕЯ (Ochidea) is the Russian word for orchid.
It starts with the letter 'O' which was common for Russian countermeasures
equipment of the era.
|
The diagram below gives an overview of the controls and connections on
the body of the main unit. At the rear are connections for the mains power,
a direct generator output and the socket for connection to the line-under-test.
Also at the rear is a switch for reversing the line polarity.
At the front are the power switch (with red indicator light), the frequency
adjustments, the gain control and a switch to select the desired output level.
The big red button at the front edge must be pushed to perform a test (i.e.
check the line). In order to protect the circuits against excessive voltages,
the line-under-test is automatically checked by a build-in test circuit.
If a high voltage is detected on the line, the ALARM lamp lights up
and the TEST button should not be pressed.
|
At the front left are three pairs of sockets. Two of these are regular
4 mm banana sockets. They allow an optional load to be connected
to the line-under-test. The two white sockets are for connection
of the Ц4324
multimeter, allowing it to measure the line
voltage and its resistance.
The oscilloscope is built around a small cathode ray tube (CRT) that is
visible via a mirror through a small window at the top surface.
At the left side of the case are 4 recessed potentiometers for adjustment
of the width, height, brightness and contrast of the image on the
miniature CRT.
|
|
|
|
The the right of the oscilloscope is the so-called compensator.
It allows the device to be matched to the capacity of the line-under-test,
and consists of a series of capacitors that are connected in parallel via
a set of magnet-operated reed-switches. A vertical slider on top of the
device, moves a permanent magnet over the reed switches, thereby
increasing or decreasing the total capacity.
|
Orchidea-2 was usually supplied in a regular 'Samsonite-style' briefcase,
together with the ancillaries and spare parts. The device can be operated
from within the case and requires only a connection to the AC mains for
its operation.
Inside the briefcase are several compartments made from molded polystyrene
that has been painted black. The largest compartment at the center holds the
actual Orchidea-2 main unit.
The other compartments are for the multimeter,
the cables,
the clamps
and the imitator unit.
|
|
|
This is the actual Orchidea-2 test device. It can be placed on a desktop,
but can also be used from within the briefcase. It has a fixed cable
connection for the mains power at the rear left.
The line-under-test should be connected to the socket at the rear right,
using a supplied cable.
The multimeter can be connected to the
sockets at the front left,
along with an optional load.
The red button should be pressed to perform a test.
|
|
|
A standard Russian Ц4324 multimeter was supplied with the set.
It was stored in the front left compartment of the briefcase and
could be connected directly to the line-under-test via the terminals
at the front left of the Orchidea-2.
The meter can be used to measure any voltages and the resistive load
on the line. It was supplied with two test wires and a warranty card.
|
|
|
To check a proper operation of the device, a simple imitator,
or simulator, was supplied. It is a small black block with two
screw terminals by which it can be connected to the line.
Inside the block is a resistor with a diode in series. When connected
to the line, the diode causes a non-linear behaviour of the current.
|
|
|
|
The line-inder-test should be connected to the 4-pin socket at the rear
right, using the cable shown in the image on the right. At the end of
the cable are two screw terminals that can be fitted to the supplied
crocodile clamps or to the contact pins supplied in the
spares box (ZIP).
|
|
|
|
Two universal test cables are supplied with the set. Each cable has
a screw terminal at either end, that can be fitted to a
crocodile clamp or to one of the contact pins from the
spares kit.
|
|
|
Orchidea-2 was supplied with six isolated crocodile clamps of the type
shown in the image on the right. The clamps can be fitted to the end of
a test cable
or to the line-under-test cable.
Each clamp has a crocodile beak at the end,
which can be opened by pinching the two rigs along the shaft together.
|
|
|
Each Orchidea-2 came with a set of spare parts and accessories that were stored
in a small black bakelite box
marked ЗИП (ZIP). In Russian, ZIP means
Запасные части И Принадлежности (spare parts and accessories).
Inside the box are fuses,
spare light bulbs
and a variety of pins
to fit the local mains wall socket and the banana sockets on the device.
|
|
|
The diagram below shows the main building blocks of the Orchidea-2.
At the left is the sinewave generator that can be adjusted freely between
40 and 70 Hz, or between 330 and 430 Hz. The signal is then amplified in
several stages until it is strong enough to be applied to the
line-under-test at the right. The protection circuit
switches the device off when it detects power on the line.
The power amplifier (PA) has a balanced transformer in its output circuit
as shown in the diagram below. The upper branch (1) of this transformer is
connected to the line-under-test. The lower branch (2) is used for
compensation of the line capacity. A resistor is connected in series with
the common (GND). The voltage over this resistor is proportional to
the current that flows in the line.
The voltage over the ground resistor (R) is applied to the X amplifier
that drives the horizontal deflection of the oscilloscope. It
represents the current in the line (i). The voltage from the top branch
of the transformer is applied to the Y amplifier that drives the
oscilloscope's vertical deflection. It represents the sinewave voltage that
is applied to the line (u). With a resistive load (RL),
the current (i) and the voltage (u) will have the same shape,
albeit with a different phase.
This situation is shown in diagram (A) above. If the load
is non-linear however – for example as a result of the diodes in a device's
rectifier circuit – the current will show discontinuities (1) or may
even be asymmetric (2). This situation is shown in diagram (B).
When displayed on an oscilloscope screen, these non-linear effects will
be visible as disturbances of the (otherwise) perfect curve.
The left example shows the relation between voltage and current
on a perfect (clean) line. Due to the phase difference between voltage and
current, we will see an ellipsis or sometimes a circle with a perfectly smooth curve.
Such a curve is generally known as a Lissajous figure
or Bowditch curve [2].
The other two examples show the effect of different non-linear behaviour
on the line.
|
|
Despite the simplicity of its basic operation, Orchidea-2 is a complex
device that contains a lot of electronic circuits. Its interior can be
accessed by removing the top and bottom case shells, each of which is held
in place by four screws. There are also removable panels at the front and rear.
|
|
The device is very well built, in a way that is typical for the era and
the place (USSR). All PCBs and parts are protected by a strong conformal
coating, with the
transistors all mounted upside down and glued to the
PCB. Although this seems old-fashioned — especially when compared to similar
Western equipment of the era — it is very robust, reliable and shock-proof.
Most building blocks are connected by means of thin pink teflon wiring.
Although the manufacturer of the device is still unknown, judging
from the build-quality and the wiring, we assume it
was made in Ukraine.
|
Suitable for power lines, cable TV, telephone lines, etc. Mains voltage 110, 115, 127, 220 or 240V AC ±10% @ 0 — 60 Hz Power < 20 Watts Temperature 5°C — 40°C (storage -50°C — +60°C Humidity ≤ 95% @ 30°C MTBF ≥ 500 hours
|
- Test for any voltage on a line
- Finding active power consumers
- Finding devices, connected to the line, with non-linear voltage/current properties.
|
-
Document kindly supplied by Detlev Vreisleben [1].
|
- Detlev Vreisleben, Orchidea-2, technical description and operating instructions
Personal correspondence, April - May 2018.
- Wikipedia, Lissajous curve
Retrieved August 2018.
|
|
|
|
Any links shown in red are currently unavailable.
If you like the information on this website, why not make a donation?
© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 15 July 2018. Last changed: Sunday, 23 August 2020 - 08:46 CET.
|
 |
|
|
|
