Amplitude Type Search Head Investigations for UHF Mine Detectors

摘要

An experimental program was conducted in order to make a comprehensive study of the performance characteristics of amplitude type search heads operating at frequencies of 400 mc and 800 mc. The purpose of the investigations was to obtain antenna design guides which will lead to more reliable detection of land mines, under a variety of operating conditions, than is presently achieved with the AN/PRS-4, UHF, Uncle Henry Standard Non-Metallic Mine Detector. Twenty-seven search head models were designed, constructed and tested. All models were initially pre-tested, and the appropriate corrections or adjustments applied to assure that the expected operational modes were evidenced. Each laboratory model was subjected to an identical series of six experiments carried out over the loam test lane at the ERDL minefield. A method was derived whereby the degree of desirable search head performance could be calculated for each antenna configuration, and the data were subsequently processed to reflect an overall figure of merit for given system parameters. In order to study the possible cause of false signal indications due to the presence of a potential operator or above ground obstructions, investigations were undertaken to quantize the effect of these interferences vs some antenna properties. (Author)