New security scanner based on space technology
An Irish company has developed a new security scanner based on technology developed for ESA spacecraft. The system, demonstrated last week at the Inter Airport Europe Exhibition in Munich, could replace metal detectors currently used for screening aircraft passengers. The Tadar system, built by Farran Technology, uses a camera that can identify objects hidden under clothing by using millimetre-waves. Tadar gets its name from a species of Brazilian bats that uses high-frequency signals to navigate and locate insect prey in the dark. The advantage of the imaging system is that it can 'see' not only metallic items, like the metal detectors currently used for airport security screening, but all kind of objects; Other security technologies that can detect various materials, such as X-ray imaging, are unsuitable for checking people because of their use of ionizing radiation. The new system imitates Brazilian Tadarida bats, which use high-frequency signals to navigate and detect insect prey in the dark. The high-frequency energy pulses emitted by the bat bounce off objects in its path, and the reflected signals are interpreted by different types of sensory cell in the bat's brain to determine both the location and physical properties of these objects. Tadar's sensors detect energy naturally emitted or reflected from objects, by using approximately 3-mm wavelengths that are completely harmless to people. At this wavelength clothes become transparent but dense objects such as explosives and weapons hidden under clothing block the body's natural radiation and reflect a clear profile of the blocked energy field. Objects that we normally carry in our pockets will stand out clearly and even weapons produced in non-metallic materials or plastic explosives, which conventional metal detectors cannot 'see', will clearly be identified. Each type of material has its own frequency response and will produce its own representative 'colour' image, almost like a fingerprint. When someone stands in front of the Tadar camera they are scanned fully-clothed to measure their body's natural radiation against a temperature controlled background panel. The presence of any dense object will block the body's natural energy and the Tadar camera will detect the background temperature that is reflected off the object. The resultant thermal contrast presents a clear image of the object. The Tadar imaging system combines patented mechanical scanning technology with state-of-the-art millimetre monolithic microwave integrated (MMIC) front-end circuits, resulting in high performance and low costs. 'This novel scanning technology can refresh the image ten times per second, allowing a 'walk by' screening operation that takes no longer than conventional metal detectors,' explains Tony McEnroe, Managing Director of Farran Technology. 'The system can work in passive and active mode, without any change in its mechanical or optical configuration. In passive mode the person to be screened must stand in front of the system, while in active mode the system can produce three-dimensional images of a scene, even at a distance of over 50 metres,' emphasises Mr McEnroe. He adds: 'we developed the knowledge and skills while designing and packaging millimetre-wave devices for ESA projects. By integrating a novel scanning technology we have achieved a unique system for detecting and imaging items for security applications.' While the primary applications for the Tadar system are security screening of people in airports and buildings, according to its designers, in the longer term, the same technology could be used to improve on existing infrared-based enhanced vision systems that enable pilots to see through clouds, as well as to identify foreign objects on airport runways. The European Space Agency encourages companies that have developed skills or technology while working on ESA Space programmes, to exploit them commercially through the ESA's technology transfer programme.
Countries
Ireland