Millimeter Wave High Resolution Radar for Stand-Off Concealed Weapon Detection

• NCJ Number: 237567
• Date Published: November 2009
• Author(s): Robert M. Knox; Changan Luo
• Length: 57 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2007-RG-CX-K181
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This research addresses the need for a low-cost and accurate sensor for detection and identification of concealed weapons under clothing at a range long enough for law enforcement to take appropriate action to eliminate any threat.

Abstract

Functional goals of the research included the following: 1) Detect concealed weapons (firearms, knives, or explosives) on humans at a safe standoff of at least 15 meters. 2) Sensor is portable or can be stationary and covert. 3) Sensor has sufficient resolution to discriminate weapons from cell phones. 4) System is of extremely low-power (safe) active millimeter wave radar to provide higher contrast for weapons detection than the current passive type weapon detection radar. 5) System can be used to detect weapons covertly at airports, train stations, schools with violence, amusement parks, campaign rallies, or were security is concerned with large crowds of people. 6) System can be used as a portable sensor by police officers to detect weapons on suspects at a safe distance.