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Not to be confused with inverse-square law.

In electronic signal processing, a square law detector is a device that produces an output proportional to the square of some input.[1] For example, in demodulating radio signals, a semiconductor diode can be used as a square law detector, providing an output current proportional to the square of the amplitude of the input voltage over some range of input amplitudes.[2] A square law detector provides an output directly proportional to the power of the input electrical signal.

References

  1. ^ IEEE Std. 100 Authoritative Dictionary of Standards Terms Seventh Edition, IEEE, 2000, ISBN 0738126012,Square law detection
  2. ^ H. C. Torrey, C. A. Whitmer, Crystal Rectifiers, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1948, pp. 3 - 4


source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square-law_detector