Search

A next generation system, as an upgrade of a robotic mobile system for anti-personnel landmine clearance, was considered. In contrast to the first generation system where the fast neutron activation method and the associated alpha particle imaging (API) was supposed to be used for finding the residual explosives and/or landmines, in the next generation system fast neutrons (FN) was considered to be used only for the confirmation of the explosive in the suspected object previously found by the ground penetrating radar (GPR), metal detector (MD) and infrared imaging (IR). Such system is expected to have the acceptable price and the optimal demining vehicle speed of 10 cm/s. In contrast to the previous system only one neutron generator (NG) is needed. In order to study the possibility of FN to confirm the presence of TNT explosive in the real environment the tests were made with the soil of different moisture contents. Comparative study was done by using the 7.62~\cm \times 7.62~\cm BGO, 7.62~\cm \times 7.62~\cm \ LaBr3:Ce and 7.62~\cm \times 7.62~\cm NaI(Tl) gamma-ray detectors. Although nitrogen was easily detected in larger amount of TNT explosive, its signal was weak in detection of Anti-Personal (AP) mine like DLM2.4. The presences of soil additionally diminish the possibility of nitrogen detection even in the Anti-Tank mines (AT). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Continuing with the description of the Canadian teleoperated mine detection systems, in this paper we will focus on systems developed primarily for antipersonnel (AP) landmine detection. The Articulated Robotic Scanner (ARS) is a system approach that uses a generic robotic device capable of automatically moving a landmine detection sensor over natural ground surfaces in a manner similar to an operator. Exploiting the cost efficiency of proven high sensitivity commercial-off-the-shelf sensors, such as the metal detectors widely employed by military and humanitarian deminers, the high-precision automation of the ARS can be utilized to provide a low cost and low weight scanning imaging sensor that can be carried on a small autonomous platform. Concurrent with the ARS project, Defence R&D Canada – Suffield has maintained an active programme in the development of portable AP landmine detection systems, a number of which will be described. Together, these projects inspired a more ambitious vision, the Canadian Sensor Integration Concept (CANSIC), which applies the successful multi-sensor landmine detection approach to a small autonomous vehicle, using complementary sensors designed for antipersonnel landmine detection. Using a high-mobility robotic platform, the envisioned system incorporates five separate technologies: two hyper-spectral cameras, thermal and visual/near infrared, along with a scanning sensor imaging system mounted on a purpose build articulated robotic scanner, working in conjunction with a nuclear imaging confirmation sensor. Designed to provide clearance options for areas off established roadways, the goal is not only to operate in all environments and conditions that a deminer is able to, but also to extend the demining capabilities of military commanders and humanitarian demining project managers to situations where there is a high probability of casualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]