The Detection of Concealed Explosives Using the MiDSIX System

The detection of concealed explosives is an active area of concern for defence and security forces. Radar technology, with the ability to penetrate barriers and detect the motion of vibrating objects, provides an attractive method for detecting concealed threats and, thereby, protecting assets and lives. A system has been developed to detect concealed threats by inducing acoustically driven vibrations using a loudspeaker and measuring the resulting micro-Doppler signal. The prototype, known as the Micro-Doppler Signatures Indicating eXplosives (MiDSIX) system, is evaluated against replica improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed behind a variety of barriers that are constructed from common materials. The characterization of the induced micro-Doppler signal and the detection of concealed IEDs explosives are demonstrated in multiple settings. The MiDSIX system offers a new method for detecting concealed explosives that can be easily deployed with a flexible operation.