Hyperspectral radiometric mine detector based upon sensing microwave brightness temperature and interference contrast signatures
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving selected frequency signals;
at least one low-noise amplifier for amplifying said signals;
a programmable filter for sampling the frequency spectrum of said signals;
a video detector for detecting selected frequency within said spectrum;
a video integrator and amplifier for generating a selected range of said spectrum;
an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing said selected spectrum range;
a processor for detecting a pre-selected radiometric signature within said digitized spectrum range; and
a display for generating a visual representation of mine detection.
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Abstract
A passive mine detection apparatus useful for searching out buried mines, exploits natural soil emissions at microwave frequencies and unique interference-induced spectral reflection signatures from planar surfaces of buried mines interacting with the soil emissions. The apparatus comprises a focussed beam antenna, low noise amplifiers for respective polarizations, baseband converter, spectrum analyzer, A to D converter, signature recognition processor, display and/or alarm. Hand-held and vehicle-mounted implementations are disclosed.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving selected frequency signals; at least one low-noise amplifier for amplifying said signals; a programmable filter for sampling the frequency spectrum of said signals; a video detector for detecting selected frequency within said spectrum; a video integrator and amplifier for generating a selected range of said spectrum; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing said selected spectrum range; a processor for detecting a pre-selected radiometric signature within said digitized spectrum range; and a display for generating a visual representation of mine detection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14)
- the apparatus comprising;
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11. An apparatus for use in searching for and detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving naturally occurring radiometric emissions from soil; a baseband converter for converting said emissions to a baseband frequency; a spectrum analyzer for generating the frequency spectrum of said emissions; a spectral signature analyzer for recognizing the frequency spectrum signature of a buried mine; and a mine signature recognition indicator for alerting a user of a detected mine; wherein said antenna is configured for receiving signals in the frequency range of 1 GHz to 10 GHz. - View Dependent Claims (12)
- the apparatus comprising;
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13. An apparatus for use in searching for and detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving naturally occurring radiometric emissions from soil; a baseband converter for converting said emissions to a baseband frequency; a spectrum analyzer for generating the frequency spectrum of said emissions; a spectral signature analyzer for recognizing the frequency spectrum signature of a buried mine; and a mine signature recognition indicator for alerting a user of a detected mine; further comprising means for separately processing radiometric signatures resulting from horizontal and vertical polarizations of said signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- the apparatus comprising;
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15. An apparatus for use in searching for and detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving naturally occurring radiometric emissions from soil; a baseband converter for converting said emissions to a baseband frequency; a spectrum analyzer for generating the frequency spectrum of said emissions; a spectral signature analyzer for recognizing the frequency spectrum signature of a buried mine; and a mine signature recognition indicator for alerting a user of a detected mine; wherein said antenna comprises a movable lens feed for changing focal length. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- the apparatus comprising;
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16. An apparatus for use in searching for and detecting buried mines;
- the apparatus comprising;
an antenna for receiving naturally occurring radiometric emissions from soil; a baseband converter for converting said emissions to a baseband frequency; a spectrum analyzer for generating the frequency spectrum of said emissions; a spectral signature analyzer for recognizing the frequency spectrum signature of a buried mine; and a mine signature recognition indicator for alerting a user of a detected mine; wherein said antenna comprises a movable reflector feed for changing focal length. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- the apparatus comprising;
Specification