An analog circuit is presented for the detection in real time of the turbulent‐nonturbulent interface at the free stream edge of turbulent shear flows. The output of the circuit is a square wave whose value is unity when the detector probe is in turbulent flow, and is zero when in nonturbulent flow. The effectiveness of several detection schemes is evaluated. A method for calibrating the detector circuit is given by using a ``synthetic,'' intermittently turbulent simulated signal of known intermittency properties. A circuit for generating the simulated signal is also presented.