Next Generation Data Collection System for One-Pass Detection and Discrimination
MR-200908
Objectives of the Demonstration
The prohibitive costs of excavating all geophysical anomalies are well known and are among the greatest impediments to efficient cleanup of unexploded ordnance (UXO)-contaminated sites. Effective discrimination between hazardous UXO and nonhazardous munitions and cultural-related debris has the potential to significantly reduce remediation costs. In recent years, there has been a shift towards developing multistatic, multicomponent time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) sensors for deployment in a cued-interrogation mode. However, the need to deploy the systems in a cued mode can significantly increase the time and costs of the geophysical survey. The objective of this project is to adapt the existing Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) cued-interrogation array (the TEMTADS) for deployment in a one-pass detection and discrimination mode. Specific technical objectives include: (1) determine the most effective transmitter configuration, sequence of transmitter excitations, transmit waveform, and decay period of the TEMTADS that will meet the needs of both detection and discrimination in one pass; (2) integrate the TEMTADS, NovAtel synchronized position attitude and navigation (SPAN) positioning technology, and other auxiliary sensors within a precision Data Acquisition System (DAS) with 0.01 millisecond (ms) timing accuracy; (3) optimize the processing, feature extraction, and discrimination of dynamically collected TEM data; and (4) determine the cost-benefit trade-off between cued and one-pass detection and discrimination modes of deployment of the TEMTADS.
Technology Description
The TEMTADS is a 25 receiver, 25 transmitter towed array that can record time decays from 0.1 ms to 25 ms after transmitter turn-off. The TEMTADS will be adapted for deployment in a one-pass detection and discrimination mode by investigating and then implementing an optimal transmitter configuration. Mobile deployment requires precise integration of position and sensor data. Platform position and orientation information will be provided by a NovAtel SPAN system. This comprises a global positioning system (GPS) and high-end inertial navigation system (INS) data. The GPS and INS data are combined through a Kalman filter framework to provide positions accurate to better than 2 cm and orientations accurate to within 1 degree. The Kalman filtering will be conducted within the commercially available Inertial Explorer package. A Trimble SPS930 Universal Total Station system will optionally replace the GPS and provide more precise positional information. The Sky DAS will allow all sensor inputs to be precisely time-aligned (to within 0.01 ms). UXOLab software will be used for all data processing, feature extraction, and discrimination.
Implementation Issues
The need for efficient clearance of UXO is Department of Defense-wide with an estimated 1,400 sites covering more than 10 million acres. A 2003 report by the Defense Science Board determined that technological innovations are required to significantly reduce the cost and time frame required for cleanup. Using effective, practical, and defensible methods for discrimination of UXO from scrap is recognized as key to reducing costs. The TEMTADS is one of several new innovative sensors with the potential to provide significant improvements in discrimination capabilities, as compared to existing commercial off-the-shelf instruments such as the Geonics EM61 and EM63. This project will expand the capabilities of the TEMTADS by providing an alternative deployment mode (one-pass detection and discrimination) that will be more cost effective than the existing cued-interrogation mode at certain sites. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2011)
Project Documents
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Stephen Billings
Black Tusk Geophysics Inc.
Phone: 720-306-1165
Fax: 604-827-3221
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.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.