Advancing Discrimination Performance by Integrating SAINT with Handheld Electromagnetic Induction Sensors

MR-200810

Objective

Differentiating between unexploded ordnance (UXO) and clutter using shape information derived from electromagnetic induction (EMI) data has proven difficult during the past decade. Although notable success has been realized by the research community using data acquired in very controlled settings, errors inherent with spatially registering field data have significantly limited discrimination performances. The objective of this project is to demonstrate advanced discrimination performance by using a tactical grade inertial navigation tracking system (i.e., SAINT) in a cued deployment to record the three-dimensional spatial position of EMI data to within a few millimeters and inverting the merged data streams for target features.

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Technology Description

In this project, SAINT will be integrated with a commercial EM61HH-MK2 sensor and the joint data stream inverted using a model developed under SERDP project MR-1381 that accounts for signal distortions caused by the sensors' analog filters. For spatial registration, a small area inertial navigation tracking system developed by ENSCO that has demonstrated precision of 3-5 millimeters will be utilized. The inertial navigation tracking system consists of a Honeywell HG1900 inertial measurement unit and a LEICA digital magnetic compass. The EM61HH-MK2 is a handheld complement to the EM61-MK2, providing greater sensitivity to smaller targets at shallow depths.

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Benefits

The Defense Science Board has calculated that if the false alarm rate can be reduced from 100:1 to 10:1, the economics of UXO remediation can be inverted from 75% of the cost devoted to digging false alarms to 75% devoted to digging UXO. Achieving this reduction with current analysis methodologies requires the collection of high signal-to-noise ratio, precisely located geophysical data. This project directly addresses the discrimination piece of the process by attempting to demonstrate accurate and repeatable characterizations. Robust and stable model parameters are required to increase the probability of detection and, if separable from targets that are not of interest, simultaneously reduce the number of false alarms.

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Project Documents

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Dean Keiswetter

SAIC

Phone: 919-677-1560

Fax: 919-678-1508

Program Manager

Munitions Response

SERDP and ESTCP

Project Documents

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
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  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
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  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
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