Ultrasonic method of materials characterization for recognition buried objects

Abstract

In analyzing the possibility of using ultrasound in the characterization of buried objects, the emphasis is put on the buried antipersonnel landmines detection (APLD). Buried object materials characterization using ultrasound is compared both with the standard laboratory materials characterization using ultrasound and with the other methods for buried landmines detection. In order to make possible more quantitatively based comparison, numerical parameters used for describing humanitarian demining detection process quality are presented and some points regarding their applications discussed. Expected values of them for the prospective new detection methods are discussed, with the emphasis put on the ultrasound based methods. Several, qualitatively different, classes of ultrasound based characterization techniques for buried objects are listed and mathematical and physical basis for modeling of one of them, that may according to the present status provide the detection improvement, presented. The performed experiment, that represents an artificial situation, is discussed and its consequences studied. Lines of possible future APLD methods development, as seen from the available data, are given.