Alternative approaches and models continue to be investigated and evolved to correctly locate and identify a buried mine with minimum risk. Though microwave remote sensing based detection of shallow buried landmines provides such a risk free alternative, it is a highly complex and computationally intensive task involving several parameters. The present paper deals with the use of data obtained in multiple polarizations and their transforms approximating rough surface conditions in sand for landmine detection. Data in both HH and VV polarizations in microwave X-band frequency (10 GHz, 3cm) was generated using a live landmine (with explosives less fuze) for the present study under field conditions. Various transforms such as image differencing, image ratioing and polarization discriminant ratio (PDR) were studied for its effect on landmine detection. However, it was found that most of the clutter and noise gets suppressed on using a transform obtained by subtracting the difference of data in two polarizations from its sum. The surface roughness conditions have been approximated as available in western parts of India and which are suitable for application of microwave radar remote sensing for detection of minefields. With the advent of satellites providing data in various polarizations, it has now become relevant to investigate methods which can be used for landmine detection using polarization techniques. The proposed analysis is expected to be useful in future in detection of landmines using multi-polarization satellite data in microwave X-band in deserts such as those existing in the western borders of India.

Date Published: 21 June 2011
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8021, Radar Sensor Technology XV, 80210C (21 June 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.887427

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8021:
Radar Sensor Technology XV
Kenneth I. Ranney; Armin W. Doerry, Editor(s)