Comparison of GPR Sensor Types for Landmine Detection and Classification

Abstract

An effective detector for use in humanitarian de-mining must respond to metal and non-metal mines; reliably discriminate mines from clutter and decoys with a low rate of false-positives; discriminate amongst differing mine types; be lightweight; and be affordable. To address these sometimes competing specifications, we have evaluated an innovative, multi-channel, continuous-wave, holographic radar (RASCAN) and high resolution metal detector coil (MetalScan), developed at Bauman Moscow Technical University, Russia. The sensors in this system were used to image landmine simulants of various realistic construction, as well as clutter objects, in an outdoor test bed. RASCAN and MetalScan images were compared to matching images from a commercially-available StructureScan impulse radar.