An exploration of gradient-based features for buried threat detection using a handheld ground penetrating radar

Evan Stump; Daniel Reichman; Leslie M. Collins; Jordan M. Malof

doi:10.1117/12.2519949

10 May 2019 An exploration of gradient-based features for buried threat detection using a handheld ground penetrating radar

Evan Stump, Daniel Reichman, Leslie M. Collins, Jordan M. Malof

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11012, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXIV; 110120F (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519949
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2019, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

In this work we consider the problem of developing algorithms for the automatic detection of buried threats in handheld Ground Penetrating Radar (HH-GPR) data. The development of algorithms for HH-GPR is relatively nascent compared to larger downward-looking GPR (DL-GPR) systems. A large number of buried threat detection (BTD) algorithms have been developed for DL-GPR systems. Given the similarities between DL-GPR data and HHGPR data, effective BTD algorithm designs may be similar for both modalities. In this work we explore the application of successful class of DL-GPR-based algorithms to HH-GPR data. In particular, we consider the class of algorithms that are based upon gradient-based features, such as histogram-of-oriented gradients (HOG) and edge histogram descriptors. We apply a generic gradient-based feature with a support vector machine to a large dataset of HH-GPR data with known buried threat locations. We measure the detection performance of the algorithm as we vary several important design parameters of the feature, and identify those designs that yield the best performance. The results suggest that the design of the gradient histogram (GH) feature has a substantial impact on its performance. We find that a tuned GH algorithm yields substantially-better performance, but ultimately performs similarly to the energy-based detector. This suggests that GH-based features may not be beneficial for HH-GPR data, or that further innovation will be needed to achieve benefits.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Evan Stump, Daniel Reichman, Leslie M. Collins, and Jordan M. Malof "An exploration of gradient-based features for buried threat detection using a handheld ground penetrating radar", Proc. SPIE 11012, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXIV, 110120F (10 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519949

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available