The standards relating to testing of metal detectors for demining operations are developing well, including (but not limited to) CEN Working Agreement CWA14747:2003, UNMAS Mine Action Standards and others. However, for developing multisensor mine detectors there is no agreed standard method of testing. ITEP, the International Test and Evaluation Program for Humanitarian Demining, is currently drawing together several nation's experience of testing multisensor mine detectors into a "best practice" document that could be used as the basis for standardised testing. This paper outlines the test methodology used during recent multisensor mine detector tests and discusses the issues that have arisen and lessons learned. In particular, the requirements for suitable targets, careful site preparation, measurement of appropriate environmental factors and methods of maximising useful results with limited resources are highlighted. Most recent tests have used a combined Metal Detector (MD) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), but other sensor systems will be considered. An emerging test methodology is presented, along with an invitation for feedback from other researchers for inclusion into the "best practice" document.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Metals, Mining, General packet radio service, Land mines, Head, Antennas, Prototyping, Ground penetrating radar, Detector development
This paper will present an overview and early results of the QinetiQ Portable Humanitarian Mine Detector project, funded by the UK Treasury Capital Modernization Fund. The project aims to develop a prototype multi-sensor man-portable detector for humanitarian demining, drawing on experience from work for UK MoD. The project runs from July 2000 to October 2002. The project team have visited mined areas and worked closely with a number of demining organizations and a manufacturer of metal detectors used in the field. The primary objective is to reduce the number of false alarms resulting from metallic ground clutter. An analysis of such clutter items found during actual demining has shown a large proportion to be very small when compared with anti-personnel mines. The planned system integrates: a lightweight multi-element pseudo-random-code ground penetrating radar array; a pulse induction metal detector and a capacitive sensor. Data from the GPR array and metal detector are fused to provide a simple audio-visual operator interface. The capacitive sensor provides information to aid processing of the radar responses and to provide feedback to the operator of the position of the sensors above the ground. At the time of presentation the project should be in the final stages of build, prior to tests and field trials, which QinetiQ hope to carry out under the International Test and Evaluation Project (ITEP) banner.
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