(Non-Linear) Acoustic Landmine Detection Study

This report presents a review of the literature on studies, modelling and experimental applications of acoustic methods applied for the detection of buried landmines. The report describes the state of the art of linear and non-linear acoustic methods addressing the complex phenomenon of mine response and resonance. This depends on the interaction between a mine and the soil and their relative physical properties. Models for the description of these phenomena are included and their use for the interpretation of the acquired signals is also commented on. Experiments for evaluating these techniques are reported from recently published works and include methods which used either contact (seismic) or non-contact (acoustic) methods for excitation. For resonance detection, experimental set-ups implementing different soil vibration measurement techniques (Laser/Ultrasonic/Radar Doppler Vibrometer, acoustic impedance measurements) are included. A Summary Table with structured information has been produced and processed for an update of the EUDEM2 Website (www.eudem.info). In the Conclusions we identify some advantages and disadvantages of the use of these techniques in mined areas and sketch a 'technology readiness level' evaluation for the most relevant and tested techniques. Finally, a proposal for the second (experimental) phase of this Study is made, based on experiments which have been described in the literature and also on new signal processing methods.