X-ray vision technology offers an edge for security and rescue
( 01 Oct 2003 )
.Cambridge Consultants Ltd (CCL) has demonstrated a new type of radar technology that can "see through walls." The low frequency radar has the ability to detect the location and movement of people inside buildings, as well as breathing beneath rubble. This detection technology can provide plan and elevation views of internal spaces in a form which is optimized for portability. The company plans to turn its demonstrator into products for military personnel and emergency services in situations such as sieges, urban warfare, fire and rescue. The technology stems from CCL's work in developing anti-collision radar for automobile safety applications that led it to devise a technique for sensing radar reflections. The result, a through-the-wall version of the system that can be packaged in a battery-powered case that is about the size of a laptop computer.
"This radar delivers the kind of high-level location information that could tip the balance in favor of rescuers in a broad range of time-critical situations, like the aftermath of an earthquake or explosion, or a hostage situation," says CCL associate director, Gordon Oswald.
Positioned against a wall-or even some meters away-the system transmits low frequency radar pulses that will pass through building materials up to 25cm thick, and detect objects and movement in the internal space. The array of antenna sensors allows this "X-ray vision" to not only sense objects in a horizontal plane, but in elevation too, making it possible to deliver "views" of what is happening inside a room or underground.
CCL's through-the-wall radar system can produce a field of view of up to 120ˇ, and a range of between 5 and 10m.
Cambridge Consultants Ltd (CCL) has demonstrated a new type of radar technology that can "see through walls." The low frequency radar has the ability to detect the location and movement of people inside buildings, as well as breathing beneath rubble. This detection technology can provide plan and elevation views of internal spaces in a form which is optimized for portability. The company plans to turn its demonstrator into products for military personnel and emergency services in situations such as sieges, urban warfare, fire and rescue.
