Measurement System for Characterizing the Detection Performance of MetalDetectors: Design and Operation

摘要

A measurement system for evaluating the performance of hand-held (HH) and walkthrough (WT) metal detectors is described. These detectors produce time-varying magnetic fields that interact with objects comprised of electrically conductive and/or magnetizable materials and this interaction allows detection of the object. Detection performance parameters considered are the magnitude of the magnetic field inside the portal region of a WT metal detector and around the HH detector, the ability to detect the presence of small metal objects, the speeds over which small metal objects can be detected, detection repeatability, and discrimination between target objects and innocuous items. Standardized metal objects are used for testing detector sensitivity, and these objects have been defined as threat items by local, state, and federal law enforcement and corrections agencies.