Clutter Identification Using Electromagnetic Survey Data

Abstract : Use dipole inversion of spatially mapped data to extract target parameters or features for use in classification, and have produced uniformly unsatisfactory results. It is generally accepted that a fundamental problem is that dipole inversion is intolerant of even centimeter-scale positioning errors in the data, and the technology for geo-location of survey data cannot provide the required positioning accuracy. As originally envisioned, this project sought to demonstrate improved procedures for target classification with EM61 survey data using schemes that are tolerant of the positioning errors. Several procedures were tested with EM61 data from the ESTCP Classification Demonstration at the former Camp Beale in California. They showed no improvement in classification performance over the results using standard processing techniques. Consequently, the project was re-directed to consider classification performance using survey mode data collected using an advanced man-portable (MP) electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor array recently developed by the Chemistry Division of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and SAIC. The MP system uses a cart mounted 2x2 array of EMI sensors with tri-axial receiver cubes. The success of the MP system for cued target identification in the Camp Beale demonstration was the primary motivating factor for adapting the system for dynamic or survey mode operation in this project. The objective of this demonstration was to validate the performance of the MP system used in dynamic survey mode in a blind test at a live munitions response (MR) site. Performance metrics include production rate, detection performance, percentage of targets classified using survey data and classification performance. The demonstration was part of the ESTCP Live Site Demonstration at the former Spencer Artillery Range, TN during May 2012. The dynamic test area covered 0.5 Ha of open field.