Adaptive model-based mine detection/localization using noisy Laser Doppler vibration measurements

The acoustic detection of buried mines is hampered by the fact that at the frequencies required for obtaining useful penetration, the energy is quickly absorbed by the ground. A recent approach which avoids this problem, is to excite the ground with a high-level low frequency sound, which excites low frequency resonances in the mine. These resonances cause a low-level vibration on the surface which can be detected by a Laser Doppler Vibrometer. This paper presents a method of quickly and efficiently detecting these vibrations by sensing a change in the statistics of the signal when the mine is present. Results based on real data are shown.