Development of a longer range standoff millimetre wave radar concealed threat detector

Nicholas J. Bowring; Matthew J. Southgate; David A. Andrews; Nacer D. Rezgui; Stuart W. Harmer; Dean O'Reilly

doi:10.1117/12.2016554

31 May 2013 Development of a longer range standoff millimetre wave radar concealed threat detector

Nicholas J. Bowring, Matthew J. Southgate, David A. Andrews, Nacer D. Rezgui, Stuart W. Harmer, Dean O'Reilly

Proceedings Volume 8714, Radar Sensor Technology XVII; 87140C (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2016554
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

A millimeter wave (75 - 110 GHz) polarimetric radar system (MiRTLE) has been developed for the detection of threat objects, such as guns, knives, or explosive devices, which have been concealed under clothing upon the human body. The system uses a Gaussian lens antenna to enable operation at stand-off ranges up to 25 meters. By utilizing ultra-wideband Swept Frequency Continuous Wave Radar very high range resolution (~ 10mm) is realized. The system is capable of detecting objects positioned in front of the body and of measuring the range of a target. By interpretation of the scattered waveform, the presence of a wide spectrum of threat items concealed on the human body may be detected. Threat detection is autonomously rendered by application of a neural network to the scattered time domain, polarimetric radar returns and the system may be taught to alarm or reject certain classes of objects; this allows for highly specific or broad spectrum threat detection. The radar system is portable and operator steerable allowing standoff monitoring of moving human targets in real time. Rapid (1ms) sweep times and fast signal acquisition and processing allow decisions to be made at video frame rates (30 fps) and integrated directly to a video feed providing the operator with a field of view and facilitating aiming. Performance parameters for detection of guns and simulated explosive devices are presented for ranges up to 25 meters.

Citation Download Citation

Nicholas J. Bowring, Matthew J. Southgate, David A. Andrews, Nacer D. Rezgui, Stuart W. Harmer, and Dean O'Reilly "Development of a longer range standoff millimetre wave radar concealed threat detector", Proc. SPIE 8714, Radar Sensor Technology XVII, 87140C (31 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2016554

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