| |
This technology could have significant
implications to military and anti-terrorist
teams who need to know about human activity
within rooms and buildings before they enter.
| |
THROUGH THE WALL RADAR No More Surprises! Helping our Defenders Prepare Before they Risk Their Lives For Us.
In a recent experiment at a U.S. government test facility, a human being was detected through 3 metres of rubble by sensing their breathing and small body motions using radar. If this capability had been available immediately after the September 11 2000 WTC tragedy, it may have substantially improved the results of recovery efforts.
These test results also have significant implications to military and anti-terrorist teams who need to know about human activity within rooms and buildings before they enter.
Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) scientist Sylvain Gauthier is on the Canadian team of researchers who are adapting and advancing this technology for use by the Canadian Forces.
Gauthier explains," Using a radar unit loaned from Time Domain Corporation in the U.S. we have been able to reproduce many of the American results. We are setting about to adapt the system to the needs of our forces. Specifically, we see an opportunity to utilize DRDC's expertise in SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) to enhance the resolution of the radar imagery so that detailed 'behind the wall information' can be obtained from a distance, instead of having to hold the radar very near to the wall."
When asked about the technologies and expertise that other Shirleys Bay labs brings to bear on the problem he explained further,
"SAR processing is a software technique used to create visual images from radar signals by adding up reflected radar returns. Shirleys Bay labs have done a lot of work in this area, creating images of the earth from radars mounted on aircraft and satellites: RADARSAT I and soon RADARSAT II, for instance.
Our electronics and control systems expertise will contribute to the development of the robotic platform. and of course our expertise in radar and microwave technology is fundamental to almost everything that goes on, on campus."
|
