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Abstract

A device detects metallic and non-metallic objects on, flush with, or covered by the ground or other surfaces, or by interfering or obscuring structures or surfaces, using ground penetrating radar, a metal detector and a radiometer. It is specifically designed for detection of non-metallic mines. The coils of the metal detector are mounted in a multi-sensor module with the radar antenna in a co-boresighted and/or co-located arrangement, without degrading the performance of the metal detector or the ground penetrating radar. Preferably, the ground penetrating radar uses a feed and a collimation lens, (such as a Luneberg or Step Dielectric lens), as an antenna to reduce the change in the loss of signal strength due to changes in distance between the surface and the antenna, (for short distances). The collimated beam has approximately constant power for distances closer than twice the diameter of the lens. By using the lens with a ground penetrating radar, the antenna can be held somewhat farther from the ground, as well as eliminating 'clutter' introduced as the antenna moves closer and farther from the ground. The sensor for the radiometer is co-located in the multi-sensor module. The sensors selected for the multi-sensor module employ different detection phenomena. Therefore, each sensor has its unique source for false alarms. The sensors' independent phenomenologies provide a synergism, which when processed, achieve an increase in probability of detection concurrent with a reduction in the false alarm rate for mines.

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First Claim