At Intersec 2005 exhibition, Cambridge Consultants is previewing the second generation of its through-wall radar technology.
Providing 3D feedback on the location and movement of people inside buildings, the system is being reengineered as a standalone handheld unit, and will be offered in a case with its own colour display.
In this new version of the radar, Prism 200, Cambridge Consultants reports it eliminates the need for an external controller and man-machine interface. This is achieved by integrating a VideoCore processor which combines high-performance digital signal processing capabilities with a versatile display driver. Results are presented on the unit’s built-in 6.4-inch colour display – or, transmitted to a remote laptop. Applications include, say the Cambridge-based firm, military and emergency service personnel in situations such as hostage taking, search and rescue.
Held against a wall or mounted on a tripod up to 2m away, Prism 200 transmits low frequency ultra-wideband (UWB) radar pulses that pass through building materials over 40 cm thick, to detect activity over a range of up to 15m.
A feature of the new intelligent radar core is an array of antennas which gives it a large field of vision – at least 140 degrees in both vertical and horizontal planes, it is claimed – combined with 3D object location and motion tracking. Operators can use the 3D capability to decide whether people are standing, sitting or lying, or whether the object detected is human or an animal.
Prism 200 will be able to provide plan and elevation views. The onboard signal processing may also be customised to suit a wide range of target applications. Programmable parameters include range, scan rate and target permanence, and the display can be adapted for optimised presentation of the data for specific uses.
The system identifies an individual person as a cluster of targets of the same colour to give a representation of the movement of each person in the space being monitored. However, much more is possible, including the ability to focus on living/moving targets to give a tracking history of individuals and to build up a picture of the static objects in the room.
Cambridge Consultants claims it is now at an advanced stage of development with the radar core, and is designing a weather-proof case to house the system. The finished product is expected to weigh around 3 kg/7 pounds, including a lithium-ion battery pack that will store enough power for around two hours of continuous use. Featuring a slimline shape with hand grips, the unit will be easily portable by a soldier or emergency service worker. And, all that’s required to start monitoring is a single push of a button, with the embedded system displaying results within two seconds, it is claimed.
"This radar will deliver the kind of high-level location information that could really tip the balance in favour of operatives in a broad range of dangerous or time-critical situations", notes a Cambridge Consultants spokesman.
Scheduled for commercial release in early 2006, the Prism 200 through-wall radar will be offered as a packaged and ready-to-use product at under £30,000.
