MICROWAVE RADIOMETRIC STUDIES IN RELATION TO MINE DETECTION,
Abstract
Field investigations over clay-type soils of the Fort Belvoir area indicated that microwave radiometry is highly unsuitable for mine detection for the following reasons: (1) Numerous strong and highly variable radiation signals from soils almost completely mask mine detection signals even under the most favorable summer conditions. (During moist soil and thermally neutral conditions which prevail during much of the spring, fall, and winter, detection performance can be expected to deteriorate even more.) (2) Microwave radiation originates in upper 2 in. to 4 in. of soil of moderate moisture content (13 to 20 percent) because of soil attenuation. When soil moisture approaches saturation conditions (30 to 40 percent), emitted radiation is confined to surface. (3) Strong similarity exists between thermal responses of microwave radiometer and typical infrared detector to mine signals. Infrared detector offers greater potential promise because of image-forming capability obtainable with high inherent resolution of infrared compared to microwave frequencies. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0646730
Entities
People
- Charles N. Johnson
- Dwight L. Gravitte
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory