A next generation magnetic sensor is being developed at L-3 Communications, Communication Systems East to enhance the ability of Army and Marine Corps unattended ground sensor (UGS) systems to detect and track targets on the battlefield. This paper describes a magnetic sensor that provides superior detection range for both armed personnel and vehicle targets, at a reduced size, weight, and level of power consumption (SWAP) over currently available magnetic sensors. The design integrates the proven technology of a flux gate magnetometer combined with advanced digital signal processing algorithms to provide the warfighter with a rapidly deployable, extremely low false-alarm-rate sensor. This new sensor improves on currently available magnetic UGS systems by providing not only target detection and direction information, but also a magnetic disturbance readout, indicating the size of the target. The sensor integrates with Government Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) systems such as the United States Army's Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS) and the United States Marine Corps Tactical Remote Sensor System (TRSS). The system has undergone testing by the US Marine Corps, as well as extensive company testing. Results from these field tests are given.

Date Published: 24 May 2012
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8388, Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications XIV, 83880A (24 May 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.917501

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8388:
Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications XIV
Edward M. Carapezza, Editor(s)