Devices and method for detecting emplacement of improvised explosive devices
First Claim
1. A sensor for detecting activity associated with placement of an explosive device within a geographic area, comprising:
- an activity detection mechanism configured to detect vibration activity associated with placement of the explosive device within the geographic area in proximity to the activity detection mechanism;
a controller in electrical communication with the activity detection mechanism, the controller configured to generate a local reporting signal indicating a vibration characteristic of the locally detected vibration activity; and
a transceiver in electrical communication with the controller, the transceiver operable to (i) receive a remote reporting signal from a remote sensor, the remote reporting signal indicating a vibration characteristic of a remotely detected vibration activity and (ii) transmit at least one of the local reporting signal and the remote reporting signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs. As a result, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IED'"'"'s.
28 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A sensor for detecting activity associated with placement of an explosive device within a geographic area, comprising:
-
an activity detection mechanism configured to detect vibration activity associated with placement of the explosive device within the geographic area in proximity to the activity detection mechanism; a controller in electrical communication with the activity detection mechanism, the controller configured to generate a local reporting signal indicating a vibration characteristic of the locally detected vibration activity; and a transceiver in electrical communication with the controller, the transceiver operable to (i) receive a remote reporting signal from a remote sensor, the remote reporting signal indicating a vibration characteristic of a remotely detected vibration activity and (ii) transmit at least one of the local reporting signal and the remote reporting signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A sensor for detecting activity associated with placement of an explosive device within a geographic area, comprising:
-
an activity detection mechanism configured to detect activity associated with placement of the explosive device within the geographic area in proximity to the activity detection mechanism; a controller in electrical communication with the activity detection mechanism, the controller configured to generate a local reporting signal indicating a characteristic of the locally detected activity; and a transceiver in electrical communication with the controller, the transceiver operable to (i) receive a remote reporting signal from a remote sensor, the remote reporting signal indicating a characteristic of a remotely detected activity and (ii) transmit at least one of the local reporting signal and the remote reporting signal; wherein the activity detection mechanism is configured to detect seismic activity within a location in proximity to the sensor and the controller is configured to generate the local reporting signal indicating a seismic characteristic of the locally detected activity; wherein the activity detection mechanism is configured as a geophone configured to detect seismic activity within the location in proximity to the sensor and generate a vibration signal in response to the seismic activity; wherein the geophone is electrically coupled to the controller by an amplification assembly having; a first amplifier configured to amplify the vibration signal generated by the geophone to form a first amplified signal; one or more second amplifiers configured to amplify the first amplified signal to form a second amplified signal; wherein the controller comprises a first gain channel and one or more second gain channels, each configured to receive a corresponding amplified signal from the amplification assembly; and wherein the controller is configured to select at least one amplified signal from at least one of the first gain channel and one or more second gain channels for generation of the local reporting signal. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
Specification