Detecting antipersonnel mines with a handheld parabolic reflector transmitter/multistatic receiver impulse gpr
A novel handheld time-domain array GPR antipersonnel mine detection system using an offset paraboloidal reflector antenna is described. The reflector collimates rays from an ultra-wideband transmitting feed, directing the microwave impulse forward, in front of the antenna structure. As such, much of the ground reflected wave is directed further forward, away from the operator, the reflector, and the receiving antennas, and thereby reducing the major source of clutter. The wave transmitted into the ground that interacts with the target, generating significant backscatter returning toward the receiving antennas. These receiving antennas are configured in a 2 by 2 array to provide spatial focusing in both the along- and cross-track directions. This system has been built and tested at both Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and GeoCenters, Inc. In both cases, custom-built wideband antenna elements generate narrow pulse shapes, which allow for resolving small non-metallic targets buried at shallow depths. The LLNL's Micro-Power Impulse Radar (MIR) operates in the 1.5 to 5 GHz range a very narrow pulse shape. The Geo-Centers wideband TEMR antenna elements have higher power, though lower frequency range (850 to 1700 MHz), and generate less residual ringing in the time signal. Preliminary measured data from both systems indicate that the surface clutter is indeed reduced relative to the target signal, and that small non-metallic anti-personnel mines can be reliably detected at burial depths as shallow as 1 inch in both dry sand and dry vegetative clay loam soil.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 15007531
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-139547; TRN: US200419%%67
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2000 UXO/Countermine Forum, Anaheim, CA (US), 05/02/2000--05/04/2000; Other Information: PBD: 10 Apr 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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