Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting noise in a touchpad
or other sensor that produces an output in response to a stimulus that is applied
at or near a sensing region. According to various embodiments, a carrier signal
is applied to the sensing region at two or more frequencies to thereby produce
an output from the sensing region at each frequency. Each of the outputs is demodulated
and filtered by a demodulation filter having a demodulation filter bandwidth. The
various frequencies applied to the carrier signal are selected such that a difference
between the frequencies is less than the demodulation filter bandwidth. At least
some of the effects of the stimulus are removed from the outputs produced by the
various carrier frequencies to produce two or more filtered outputs. The filtered
outputs are then added, combined or otherwise processed to detect noise contained
therein. If noise contained in one or more of the filtered outputs reaches an unacceptable
level, the carrier signal may be shifted to a new sensing frequency for subsequent
operation of the sensor.