Discriminating mortar launch/impact events utilizing acoustic sensors

Myron E. Hohil; Sachi Desai; Amir Morcos

doi:10.1117/12.689767

5 October 2006 Discriminating mortar launch/impact events utilizing acoustic sensors

Myron E. Hohil, Sachi Desai, Amir Morcos

Proceedings Volume 6394, Unmanned/Unattended Sensors and Sensor Networks III; 63940N (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.689767
Event: Optics/Photonics in Security and Defence, 2006, Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

Feature extraction methods based on the discrete wavelet transform and multiresolution analysis facilitate the development of a robust classification algorithm that reliably discriminates between launch and impact mortar events via acoustic signals produced during these events. Distinct characteristics arise within the different explosive events because impact events emphasize concussive and shrapnel effects, while launch events result from explosion that expel and propel a mortar round from a gun. The ensuing blast waves are readily characterized by variations in the corresponding peak pressure and rise time of the waveform, differences in the ratio of positive pressure amplitude to the negative amplitude, variations in the prominent frequencies associated with the varying blast events and variations in the overall duration of the resulting waveform. Unique attributes can also be identified that depend upon the properties of the gun tube, projectile speed at the muzzle, and the explosive/concussive properties associated with the events. In this work, the discrete wavelet transform is used to extract the predominant components of these characteristics from the acoustic signatures of the event at ranges of 1km. Highly reliable discrimination is achieved with a feedforward neural network classifier trained on a feature space derived from the distribution of wavelet coefficients and higher frequency details found within different levels of the multiresolution decomposition. We show that the algorithms provide a reliable discrimination (>84%) between launch and impact events using data collecting during several separate field test experiments.

Citation Download Citation

Myron E. Hohil, Sachi Desai, and Amir Morcos "Discriminating mortar launch/impact events utilizing acoustic sensors", Proc. SPIE 6394, Unmanned/Unattended Sensors and Sensor Networks III, 63940N (5 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.689767

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