Preliminary Validation of UWB Through-Rubble Detection Measurements for Quasi Real Time Detection of Trapped Survivors

Abstract

This paper discusses the validation of simulation data for through rubble detection through a preliminary experimental setup. The experimental feasibility of detecting body limb movements through rubble is also investigated. The setup relies on illuminating a series of UWB transceivers arranged in a C- shaped antenna array scanner in a limited view geometry where data is repetitively and continuously collected over small time intervals. Image reconstruction is based on a multi-static multilateration method which correlates the movements captured by subtracting successive signals obtained from each transmitter-receiver pair into a point on the image. Experiential measurements of the basic setup show good agreement with simulated data, and demonstrate the capability of detecting targets displaced more than 30 cm beyond concrete barriers without requiring any priori information.