Using Wireless Sensor Networks in Improvised Explosive Device Detection

This research focused on wide-area surveillance of public environments for potential IEDs (improvised explosive devices) using wireless sensor networks. We explored magnetic and infrared sensors from Crossbow Technologies to detect simulated emplaced IEDs (emplacement is the step most susceptible to detection) in a public mall and along a typical street environment. The threat scenario was IED emplacement in a trash receptacle. A network of these sensors was built and positioned in these environments with human subjects entering (some carrying ferromagnetic materials and some not) and proceeding toward a receptacle. Results indicated that magnetic sensors could detect suspicious ferromagnetic materials, though not all simulated IEDs contained enough to trigger detection. Infrared sensors were not effective for such tasks as there is much background infrared radiation. Our network design was such that data could easily be aggregated over many sensors in larger networks. This suggests that the technology can be effective for protecting communal areas such as airports and urban areas. Other supplementary technologies such as imagery could be linked to build a more robust detection network.