Influence of tailed-current on UXO prospecting

Abstract

Time-domain electromagnetic method used in unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection has always faced the problem of the losing of early-time response due to tailed-current. In this article, the response of UXO like targets with different tailed-current are calculated and measured, and the influence of tailed-current on UXO prospecting is talked. The targets include a sphere, an iron pipe and a shell, and the tailed-current is set with switch-off time varies from 0μs to 230μs. According to magnetic surface modes(MSM), the step response of a compact steel target exhibits an early algebraic regime wherein the response transitions from t -1/2 to t -3/2 decay, followed by a late regime characterized by an exponentially decay. In fact, the transmitter current cannot be turned off immediately, especially for system with multiturn coil and large current. The switch-off process is decided by system parameters such as coil induction, coil resister, damping resister and maximum voltage across the coil. The response of the targets will be distorted dramatically by the tailed-current. The targets responses of tailed-current with different switch-off time are calculated through a convolution algorithm and measured with a specially designed system. The results show that the responses of UXO like targets are influenced by the tailed-current in two ways. Firstly, the primary response of the tailed-current will lead to signal saturation in the early times. Secondly, the off-time responses of UXO like targets are distorted by the tailed-current. All the influences will affect the system ability on detecting and discriminating the UXO like targets. An extra-fast switch-off system and deconvolution strategies are good advices to solve the problems.