A Complex Approach to UXO Discrimination: Combining Advanced EMI Forward and Statistical Signal Processing

MR-1572

Objective

MR-1572 Project Graphic

Innovative discrimination techniques that can reliably distinguish between hazardous UXO and nonhazardous metallic items are needed.

The prohibitive cost of excavating all geophysical anomalies is one of the greatest impediments to efficient cleanup of unexploded ordnance (UXO) at Department of Defense and Department of Energy sites. Innovative discrimination techniques that can reliably distinguish between hazardous UXO and nonhazardous metallic items are required. The key element to overcoming these difficulties lies in the development of advanced processing techniques that can treat complex data sets such as novel waveforms and multi-axis, vector, or tensor magnetic and/or electromagnetic induction (EMI) data to maximize the probability of classification and minimize the false alarm rate.

The objectives of this project are to (1) extend the physically complete forward models developed under SERDP Exploratory Development (SEED) project MR-1446 to treat complex data sets in the presence of heterogeneous background-clutter noise; (2) develop robust methods and algorithms of geophysical data inversion that are practical for real-field data; and (3) develop a mixed modeling approach and statistical identification while controlling sensitivity and specificity.

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Technical Approach

In this project, discrimination algorithms will be tested using a subset of data from the ESTCP Discrimination Study Pilot Program. Prior to blind test data analysis, all ESTCP data will be screened to verify detection thresholds for a given instrument. If the signal from the target is too low, no attempt will be made for target discrimination. The standardized excitation approach (SEA) and normalized surface magnetic charge (NSMC) methods will be used to invert buried objects’ location and orientation. The SEA and NSMC model have advantages and disadvantages for UXO discrimination that will be documented in this project. In addition, a simpledipole model approach will be tested for the same subset of data. Finally, a classification/ranked list will be generated specifying target identification as UXO or non-UXO, as well as the approximate size, orientation, location, and discrimination confidence (high, medium, or low) based on the inversions.

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Benefits

This project will provide tools that improve existing capabilities to discriminate reliably between hazardous UXO and nonhazardous metallic items. Specifically, the aim of the research is to develop robust and efficient signal processing algorithms and software for UXO discrimination under realistic field conditions. (Anticipated Project Completion – 2010)

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Project Documents

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Fridon Shubitidze

Sky Research, Inc.

Phone: 603-646-3671

Fax: 603-646-3856

Program Manager

Munitions Response

SERDP/ESTCP Office
901 North Stuart St, Suite 303
Arlington, VA 22203

Phone: 703-696-8726

Fax: 703-696-2114

Project Documents

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.