Field Testing of Brassboard of Laser Multi-Beam Differential Interferometric Sensor
Abstract
Project Summary U.S. Marine expeditionary forces engage in a wide spectrum of warfare, including asymmetric and irregular warfare and distributed operations. These operations face dangers and delays from mines and IEDs buried and hidden on and off route. Rapid, standoff, wide-area mine and IED detection capability is required to detect these explosive hazards, so that they can be avoided or cleared to allow safe passage of personnel, equipment, and supplies, and maintain operational tempo. An acoustic/seismic technology has been proven as a reliable method, having a high probability of detection and low false alarm rate. Keys to successful implementation of this technology include rapid-scanning, standoff methods for ground vibration measurement over wide areas, and the adaptation of this technology for the operation from a manned or unmanned ground vehicle. The University of Mississippi, National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA) under grant #N000141310868 from Office of Naval Research (ONR) has developed a novel Laser Multi-Beam Differential Interferometric Sensor (LaMBDIS) for stand-off measurement of vibration fields. The laboratory tests proved that the sensor has very low sensitivity to the platform motion, while maintaining high sensitivity to the object vibration. Design and construction of a brassboard sensor that could be mounted on a small electric vehicle is being completed under contract with NSWC PCD #N00178-04-D-4143-HR20 (TI008). The objective of the proposed effort is to perform field tests of a brassboard of LaMBDIS. The sensor will be integrated on a small electric vehicle, and will be tested in the field in conjunction with a wheeled shaker. The proposed project will be accomplished in three major tasks: integration of the brassboard sensor to the vehicle, field tests at the NCPA site, and field test in conjunction with a wheeled shaker coupled with data analysis. The brassboard sensor mounting will be designed to fit existing hardware currently used on an electric vehicle (Taylor-Dunn), to accommodate the LaMBDIS. This design will incorporate an angle-adjustment mechanism. Performance of the brassboard sensor integrated on the vehicle will be tested on a paved flat surface. Based on the test results, modifications to the mounting setup and the brassboard sensor itself will be implemented as needed. NCPA will instrument a test field. A line of vibrating buried shakers, a buried mine or a mine simulant will be used as test objects. A sound source located on the side of the track will be used for excitation. The test will be conducted at distances to the object, ranging from 10 m to 40 m in two modes: from a stationary vehicle with beams stationary and beams sweeping along the track and from a moving vehicle with the beams scanning the surface due to the vehicle motion. Based on the results of the test a decision will be made on continuation of the field tests. The field test in conjunction with a wheeled shaker will be one week duration with one week of rain dates. The field test location and logistics for access to the site will be provided by NSWC-PCD. Preliminary test will include known objects consisting of buried shakers and antitank mines buried by NCPA and NSWC PCD personnel. In a second (blind) test, the buried objects will be emplaced by NSWC PCD personnel. Report and raw data will be delivered. The proposed team has extensive experience in the development and application of laser vibration sensors for acoustic detection of buried mines, including linear and two-dimensional array multiple beam laser Doppler vibrometers. They have successfully employed a linear array laser Doppler vibrometer in an extremely challenging environment - landmine detection field experiments. Based on the lessons learned during those efforts, the team believes that the proposed work is well within its capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512660
Entities
People
- Vyacheslav Aranchuk
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Mississippi