Abstract: A device includes a compressible conductive element including a first end and a second end, and an adjustment element coupled to the compressible conductive element, the adjustment element configured to adjust the compressible conductive element to a state of compression between an uncompressed mode and a compressed mode. The compressible conductive element is configured to couple to a source of electrical current at the first end and to radiate electromagnetic energy from the second end.

Abstract: Sensing moving entities includes transmitting a stepped-frequency radar signal including multiple frequencies through a wall from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall. Portions of the radar signal that are reflected by entities located beyond the second side of the wall are detected. The reflected portions are processed to generate processed data including information associated with frequency shifts between the transmitted signal and the detected signal. The processed data is analyzed to determine if reflected portions are associated with moving entities.

Abstract: A training set including a target object set and a clutter object set is accessed. It is determined that the training set includes multiple types of targets or multiple types of clutter. The target feature value of a type of target is compared with the clutter feature value. The type of target is associated with the non-target object based on the comparison. A classifier is trained using the target feature value and the clutter feature value of the associated type of target and the non-clutter object. A feature value associated with an unknown object is applied to multiple classifiers to generate a set of metrics for the unknown object. The metrics are aggregated into an overall metric. Whether the unknown object is included in the target set is determined based on the overall metric.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. The handle-bar includes collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle-bar, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's hand when the user grips and moves the handle-bar. The gate includes a series of collection holes, is positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's clothing in response to pressure applied from the user. The air-stream gatherer includes an outward vent and an in-drawing vent, and is positioned to enable objects, such as the user's feet, to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents. The air stream is configured to dislodge and capture particles from objects, such as the user's feet, that block the air-stream between the vents.

Abstract: An antenna includes a resistive element formed in a casing, and a feed line formed in the casing and electrically coupled to the resistive element. The positioning of the resistive element and the feeding is such that the feed line is approximately perpendicular to the resistive element. The positioning of the feed line and the resistive element may result in the antenna being sized to allow integration of the antenna into a sensor head.

Abstract: A sensor head includes a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system and a continuous-wave metal detector (CWMD). The GPR system includes a transceiver configured to transmit radiation toward an object and to receive radiation from the object. The CWMD includes a transmission antenna configured to produce a first magnetic field in the vicinity of the object sufficient to generate a current in the object, and a receive antenna configured to sense a second magnetic field produced by the current generated in the object.

Abstract: An integrated mine detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector. The integrated mine detection system includes an integrated search device housing a radio-wave transmitter of the radar detector and a coil of the metal detector. The radio-wave transmitter includes an antenna. The integrated search device includes a radio-wave receiver in the form of a pair of receiving antennas.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting contraband are described, as are techniques for generating an image of living tissue. A location of interest relative to a target space is received, and a radar signal is transmitted in the direction of the location of interest. Portions of the radar signal are detected with multiple receiving structures. The detected portions are processed to generate information corresponding to dielectric or loss properties, the properties corresponding to particular positions within the target space. A determination is made as to whether contraband is present in the target space based on the determined properties.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. A collection tube is configured to deposit gathered particles from the gathering device onto a portion of a sample media. A carousel wheel that includes the sample media is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector that detects, through an infrared sensor, the decomposition of the gathered particles.

Abstract: A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

Abstract: A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting entities based on movement can involve transmission circuitry configured to enable transmission of a stepped-frequency radar signal, an antenna, and receiving circuitry configured to generate data including information associated with frequency and phase shifts between the transmitted signal and the reflections of the transmitted signal. The system also can involve a processor configured to analyze the generated data to determine information associated with a moving object located at a side of a wall different than a side of the wall of which the system is located. The analyzing can involve compensating for the effect of motion of the system on the phase shifts between the transmitted signal and the reflections of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling transmission of a stepped-frequency radar signal can involve a first antenna and a second antenna. The system can also involve receiving circuitry configured to receive detected reflections from the antennas and to generate data including information associated with frequency and phase shifts. The system can further involve a processor configured to receive the generated data from the receiving circuitry and to analyze the generated data to determine information associated with a moving object located at a side of a wall opposite to the system by differentiating reflections of the transmitted signal detected with the first antenna from reflections of the transmitted signal detected with the second antenna.

Abstract: A hand-held, wand-type buried object detector includes a motion and position sensor that provides data about the sensor head of the buried object detector. An inertial measuring device including three accelerometers and three gyroscopes is one example of a motion and position sensor. The buried object detector includes a processor/communicator device that is capable of processing the data from the motion and position sensor and communicating feedback, based on the processing results, to the operator about the operation of the buried object detector. In one example, a personal digital assistant may be configured for use as a processor/communicator device of a buried object detector.

Abstract: A handheld radar frequency scanner system for detecting objects concealed on a person, the system includes a radar transmitter coupled to a transmit antenna that is configured and positioned to direct a radar signal at a person, a radar receiver coupled to a receive antenna that is configured to detect a portion of the radar signal reflected by the person, and a processor connected to the radar receiver and operable to process the portions of the radar signals detected by the radar receiver to determine whether the person is carrying a concealed object. The system may produce a real-time alert, such as an audible alert, when a concealed object is detected.

Abstract: A position of an object moving through a region of interest is determined, and at least one source of an air stream is selectively activated based on the determined position. The air stream is capable of dislodging a particle from the object moving through the region of interest. The air stream is directed toward the region of interest. An air collector is selectively activated, based on the determined position, to draw air from the region of interest. The drawn air is deposited on a sample collector, and the sample collector is analyzed to determine whether the deposition of the air stream left particles of a material of interest on the sample collector.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting contraband are described, as are techniques for generating an image of living tissue. A location of interest relative to a target space is received, and a radar signal is transmitted in the direction of the location of interest. Portions of the radar signal are detected with multiple receiving structures. The detected portions are processed to generate information corresponding to dielectric or loss properties, the properties corresponding to particular positions within the target space. A determination is made as to whether contraband is present in the target space based on the determined properties.

Abstract: Sensing moving entities includes transmitting a stepped-frequency radar signal including multiple frequencies through a wall from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall. Portions of the radar signal that are reflected by entities located beyond the second side of the wall are detected. The reflected portions are processed to generate processed data including information associated with frequency shifts between the transmitted signal and the detected signal. The processed data is analyzed to determine if reflected portions are associated with moving entities.

Abstract: An multi-mode target detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector permitting operation of the system in a variety of target detection modes. The system includes a control section having a selection device for selecting at least two operating modes from the group consisting of a buried land mine detection mode, a through wall detection mode, a perimeter warning mode, a buried cache detection mode and an in-wall cache detection mode.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. The handle-bar includes collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle-bar, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's hand when the user grips and moves the handle-bar. The gate includes a series of collection holes, is positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's clothing in response to pressure applied from the user. The air-stream gatherer includes an outward vent and an in-drawing vent, and is positioned to enable objects, such as the user's feet, to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents. The air stream is configured to dislodge and capture particles from objects, such as the user's feet, that block the air-stream between the vents.