🔍 Key Concepts

• Square-law detection and how detector output relates to input RF voltage • How non-linear detection creates harmonics (especially second harmonic) • Relationship between detector type and ability to handle weak vs strong signals

💭 Think About

• If the audio output is proportional to the square of the RF input, what does that imply about sensitivity to small (weak) signals? • When a device operates on the square of the input signal, what kind of distortion products (harmonics) are most prominent? • Does a square-law detector operate only with weak signals, mainly with weak signals, or can it also handle strong signals without changing its behavior?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check whether a square-law characteristic typically increases sensitivity to weak signals or reduces it • Verify whether squaring a sinusoidal input produces a strong second harmonic component • Consider whether a true square-law detector is usually described as working only on weak signals or whether that statement is too absolute