Technical assessment of new sensor abilities for urban warfare - Final report

Authors:

  • Nilsson Stefan
  • Axelsson Dan
  • Gustafsson Magnus
  • Habberstad Hans
  • Huss Lars-Gunnar
  • Jänis Anna
  • Karlsson Mikael
  • Kjellgren Jan
  • Larsson Håkan
  • Letalick Dietmar
  • Sume Ain
  • Örbom Anders

Publish date: 2006-01-01

Report number: FOI-R--2138--SE

Pages: 61

Written in: Swedish

Abstract

This final report summarizes the activities and describes the most interesting results in the three-year strategic research project "Technical assessment of new sensor abilities for urban warfare". The main goal has been to increase the sensor competence of the FOI concerning closedistance sensors, by finding out, via experiments, our capacities and limitations in the urban scenario. The project has made use of and further developed the existing competence and sensor equipment available at the FOI. High-resolution imaging radar measurements of a person standing behind various types of walls have been carried out, where the angular resolution in the near-field was increased by refocusing of the antennas. A 3D-visualization of the person even exposed the handgun tucked into one hip-pocket. An experimental survey of the transmission properties of various material types has been conducted. Furthermore, it has been shown that penetration of moisture into the material gives high attenuation. The FOI Doppler radar - the Miniradar - has been developed further. The design has been made more robust and all electronic equipment has been integrated on a printed circuit board. The system has attracted considerable attention, and a productification is close at hand. The possibility to look through and make images of humans through sparse materials has been demonstrated. Experiments have been carried out to localize hidden sound sources in urban surroundings using acoustic sensors in networks. The trials show that an accuracy in position determination within m is possible. As a summary, it can be said that the radar is a main sensor for the detection and tracking of various types of moving targets, with maintained functionality in darkness, fog, dust or smoke. However, it is less suited for classification or identification. In these cases, the radar is a complement to the optical systems, and multi-sensor solutions are interesting here. In a prospective application, the radar can be responsible for the detection, whereas the optical system can be used for functions, where its considerably better image resolution is taken advantage of. Several of the results generated in the project can hold their own in an international comparison.