Development and optimization of a dual sensor system with real time digital signal processing for the detection and identification of buried landmines and unexploded ordnance - MINESEYE

Funding: ESPRIT, Project: 29958

Coordinator: EPPRA SARL, France, Project manager: Dr. Peter Choi

Partners:

X-technologies - Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France, Project responsible: Dominique de Lapparent

INOE 2000, Romania, RO Project manager: Dr. Viorel Braic

John Caunt Scientific Ltd., Oxford, U.K. project manager: Eng. John Caunt

Menschen gegen Minen – MgM, Germany Project manager: Eng. Michael Ehlers

OBJECTIVES

The MINESEYE system is a dual detection system using:

Digital induction pulse sensor for advanced metal detection - DIPS

and

System for explosive detection following exposure to a pulsed neutron beam via gamma radiation signature of constituent elements – Pulsed Neutron Chemical Analysis Sensor – PNCAS.

DIPS is composed of two parts, the search head unit and the control and data processing unit.

The data processing and human interface unit makes up PNCAS, while the neutron generator head with integrated gamma detector is its separate component. In addition to the precise pulsed power unit and the neutron tube, it contains the gas control system, power electronics, and local energy storage.

The man portable version: the device mounted atop a hand-pushed, self-propelled modified lawnmower. The operator is supposed to stand about 2 m behind.

The PNCAS head is to be raised and lowered between the transport and detection modes on the modified lawnmower, with the detector head positioned as close to the ground as feasible, for optimised sensitivity.

Transport system of the whole system in the mined areas (Angola and Namibia)

I. Specific Objectives - INOE 2000

1. PNCAS LABORATORY UNIT – DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

• CAD drawings

• Inner electrodes super finishing and thin film deposition

• He mass spectrometry leak detection of components

• Ion source position

• Target position

• High voltage insulation

2. GAS HANDLING IN THE NEUTRON TUBE SIMULATOR

Since the laboratory unit isn't meant to be sealed off, a turbo pump-powered pumping unit will be supplied. An electrovalve is used to pulse the working gas.

II. Contribution of INOE 2000

UHV chamber and pumping unit supplied for the pulse neutron tube generator

The manufactured pulse neutron tube generator after the pressure-time evolution in a gas-pulsing regime was examined

Field tests of the neutron tube generator in Afrika, conducted by MgM partner