Phenomenology and Signal Processing for UXO/Clutter Discrimination
Abstract
There are two basic parts to the process of discriminating between buried unexploded ordnance (UXO) and non-hazardous metallic clutter in the ground. First, target parameters or features are extracted from data collected over the target. Then the target parameters are supplied to a set of decision rules that classify the target as UXO or clutter. Despite significant investments from SERDP and ESTCP, UXO/clutter discrimination performance to date has not lived up to expectations. There are problems with both parts of the process. First, current discrimination techniques rely on inverting spatially mapped electromagnetic induction (EMI) data to estimate target parameters and are extremely sensitive to noise and small errors in data mapping. Second, discrimination performance depends crucially on the training data used in determining the boundaries of the decision regions. Although an extensive data base of UXO signatures has been compiled under SERDP project MM-1313 (Quantification of UXO variability for target discrimination), there is precious little clutter data collected under controlled conditions available for training. The project was intended to help rectify this deficiency by collecting and analyzing EMI data for a variety of clutter items. Specific objectives were to (a) establish relationships between the parameters that characterize a target's EMI signature and the physical attributes of the target that can be used to develop effective classification rules and (b) devise robust processing and analysis procedures for estimating the target parameters from data collected above an unknown target without having to spatially map the data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA520644
Entities
People
- Thomas Bell
Organizations
- Leidos