Ultra Wide Band signature analysis for detection of weapons & explosives

该项目将研究在防范恐怖主义方面的一个重要差距：发现隐藏在人体（例如“自杀炸弹手”）上的武器和爆炸物（CW&E）的能力，并检测它们，特别是在远处。该项目将开展使用超宽带传感器的研究。这些传感器是一种便携式设备，可以辐射极短的无线电脉冲。该项目将介绍如何设计这样的传感器及其性能。该项目的目标是设计一个系统，它可以比任何其他系统更好地执行，这是不是太昂贵。最终，人们希望设计出一种系统，可以在开放区域检测隐藏的武器和爆炸物，而不必引导人们通过狭窄的空间。UWB传感器并不是一个全新的系统，但伯明翰大学的科学家们已经想到了一种新的使用方法，基于一种称为后期响应（LTR）分析的概念。LTR基于一个不太为人所知的物理原理。任何物体的LTR都可以产生直接取决于物体形状和电特性的模型。这意味着特定的目标有特定的签名，可以识别它们，就像我们签名时都有自己的签名一样;项目使用的就是这个签名。然而，在使用它来提高安全性方面，LTR的使用可能是世界上第一次。该项目希望建立一种可以检测隐藏武器和爆炸物的产品的可能性。该项目的结果将包括理论和实验数据。当然，这项技术也有局限性，在项目中，这些都需要确定，特别是如果要制造一种可以销售的产品，项目的最终目标是利用这项技术生产商业产品。有许多领域可能对该产品感兴趣，包括：机场安全系统，B）公共开放空间（例如购物中心）的隐藏安全，c）政府或工业场所的安全，d）行李检查。在项目期间，将邀请感兴趣的用户讨论他们对该产品的需求，使其尽可能相关。它并不打算作为项目的一部分产生一个原型系统，但将展示基本要素的可能性。该技术可以与其他技术一起使用。例如，该系统可用于选择可疑人员，以便使用高频（太赫兹）成像进行进一步扫描，以获得更多细节。在某些领域，该项目开发的产品可能比已经使用的设备便宜得多，例如在机场，扫描设备的成本约为10万英镑;该项目中的技术应该能够提供更便宜的解决方案。除了机场安检，还可以开发其他安全产品：例如保护公共场所，协助毒品调查。其他领域也可能受益，例如有助于维持和平任务的军事装备。然而，该项目提供的不仅仅是商业利益。在整个项目期间，打算发表研究论文，帮助科学家了解这一新技术，提高对延迟反应原理的科学理解。但也许这个项目最重要的方面将是帮助防止恐怖袭击，这是所有好处中最大的，其价值无法估量。

This project will look at an important gap in the protection against terrorism: the ability to spot weapons & explosives (CW&E) that are hidden on a person's body (e.g. a 'suicide bomber'), and to detect them, especially at a distance. The project will carry out a study of using ultra wideband (UWB) sensors. These sensors are a portable piece of equipment which radiates an extremely short radio pulse. The project will introduce how to design such a sensor and what its performance will be like. The goal of the project is to design a system which can perform better than any other system, and which isn't too expensive. Eventually it is hoped that a system will be designed that can detect hidden weapons and explosives in an open area, without having to channel people through a narrow space.A UWB sensor is not a brand new system, but scientists from the University of Birmingham have thought of a new way of using them based on a concept called, late-time response (LTR) analysis . LTR is based on a principle of physics which is not very well known. The LTR of any object can produce a model which directly depends on the objects' shape and electrical properties. That means that particular targets have particular signatures , which identify them, just as we all have our own signature when we sign our name; and it is this signature which the project uses. In terms of using it to improve security however, the use of LTR may be a world first. The project hopes to establish the possibility of building a product which can detect hidden weapons and explosives. The results of the project will include theoretical and experimental data. Of course there are limitations to the technology, and in the project these need to be decided, especially if a product is going to be made which can be sold, and the eventual aim of the project is to use the technology to produce commercial products. There are a number of areas which may be interested in this product and these include: Airport security systems, b) Hidden security in public open spaces (e.g. Shopping Malls), c) Security at Government or Industrial sites, d) Baggage screening. During the project, interested users will be invited to discuss their needs for this product, making it as relevant as possible. It is not intended to produce a prototype system as part of the project, but the possibility of the essential elements will be demonstrated. The technology may be used with other technologies. For example, the system could be used to select suspected persons for further scanning using high frequency (Terahertz) imaging, to obtain more details. In some areas the product developed in this project may be a lot cheaper than equipment which is already used, for example in airports, where scanning equipment can cost around 100 thousand pounds; the technology in this project should be able to offer a cheaper solution. As well as airport screening, other security products could also be developed: e.g. protecting public spaces, aiding drugs investigation. There are also likely to be benefits into other areas, e.g. military equipment to help with peacekeeping tasks. However, the project offers not only commercial benefits. Throughout the project, it is intended that research papers will be published which will help scientists understand this new technology, improving scientific understanding of the late response principle. But perhaps the most important aspect of this project will be to help prevent terrorist attacks, which is the biggest benefit of all, and whose value cannot be counted.