Moving Belt Metal Detector (MBMD)

Abstract

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) has developed a prototype metal detection survey system that will increase the search speed of conventional technology while maintaining high sensitivity. Higher search speeds will reduce the time to locate unexploded ordnance (UXO) at Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) sites, thus potentially reducing remediation costs. The new survey sensor system is called the moving belt metal detector (MBMD) and operates by both increasing sensor speed over the ground while maintaining adequate sensor dwell time over the target for good signal-to-noise ration (SNR) and reducing motion-induced sensor noise. The MBMD uses an array of metal detection sensors mounted on a flexible belt similar to a tank track. The belt motion is synchronized with the forward survey speed so individual sensor elements remain stationary relative to the ground. In the prototype MBMD, a single pulsed transmitter coil is configured to provide a uniform magnetic field along the length of the receivers in ground contact. Individual time-domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) receivers are designed to sense a single time-gate measurement of the total metal content. Each sensor module consists of a receiver coil, amplifier, digitizing electronics and a low power UHF wireless transmitter. This report presents the survey system design concepts, details of the prototype system, metal detection data from at several survey speeds and recommendations for future work. Although the laboratory prototype is designed to demonstrate metal detection survey speeds up to 10 m/s, higher speeds are achievable with a larger sensor array. In addition, the concept can be adapted to work with other sensor technologies not previously considered for moving platforms.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA476325

Entities

People

  • Carl V. Nelson
  • Deborah P. Mendat
  • Toan B. Huynh

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application-Specific Integrated Circuits
  • Base Closures
  • Computers
  • Data Transmission
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Diagrams
  • Electronics
  • Electronics Industry
  • Integrated Circuits
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Metal Detectors
  • Power Electronics
  • Target Classification
  • Target Signatures
  • Unexploded Ammunition

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems