Cargo Inspection by Means of Electromagnetic Radiation Are Described
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Master’s thesis Cargo inspection by means of electromagnetic radiation Author: Muhammad Shakeel Arshad Supervisor: Sven-Erik Sandström Examiner: Sven-Erik Sandström Term: VT21 Subject: Electrical Engineering Level: Master’s Course code: 5ED36E Acknowledgments I would like to show my gratitude to Prof. Sven-Erik Sandström for his support. He never hesitated in giving me any kind of help and always showered me with advice. He showed me a lot of tolerance, comprehension, and encouragement during the progress of this study. Without his guidance, this report would have been much difficult. Page | i Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 01 ........................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 2 Scope of the research ......................................................................................................... 4 Background to the study .................................................................................................... 4 Compton scattering ............................................................................................................ 4 Previous research in the field ............................................................................................. 6 Objectives of the research .................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 02 ........................................................................................................................... 7 Literature review................................................................................................................. 7 Methods of X-ray detection ............................................................................................... 8 Advantages of electromagnetic cargo inspection .............................................................. 11 Chapter 03 ......................................................................................................................... 18 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 18 Cargo inspection methods using electromagnetic radiation .............................................. 19 X-ray inspection ........................................................................................................... 19 Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) ........................................................................ 19 Doppler radar systems ................................................................................................. 20 Switched-Antenna-Array radar imaging system ............................................................ 21 Chapter 04 ......................................................................................................................... 22 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 22 References.......................................................................................................................... 23 Page | ii List of Figures Figure 1 Inspection of cargo. ................................................................................................. 2 Figure 2 Electromagnetic frequency bands. ........................................................................... 3 Figure 3 Schematics of Compton scattering. .......................................................................... 5 Figure 4 Mobile inspection unit. ............................................................................................ 6 Figure 5 Full scale cargo inspection....................................................................................... 7 Figure 6 Cargo inspection by means of X-rays. ..................................................................... 8 Figure 7 X-ray cargo inspection method for a truck. .............................................................. 9 Figure 8 Electromagnetic Scanner (EMIS) 6047 and 8075................................................... 10 Figure 9 X-ray vehicle scanner. ........................................................................................... 11 Figure 10 X-ray scanner mechanism using shielding curtains. ............................................. 12 Figure 11 C-BORD project and user perspective. ................................................................ 13 Figure 12 C-BORD framework perspectives. ...................................................................... 14 Figure 13 Baggage X-ray units for cargo inspection. ........................................................... 15 Figure 14 Identified AFIs of baggage X-ray units. ............................................................... 16 Figure 15 The cargo inspection facility. ............................................................................... 18 Figure 16 NQR detection schematically. ............................................................................. 19 Figure 17 Blighter surveillance systems .............................................................................. 20 Figure 18 Switched-Antenna-Array ..................................................................................... 21 Page | iii Abstract This study is based on a detailed literature review of the approaches that are being used for inspecting cargos. It was concluded that especially X-rays are suitable for precise inspection of cargos due to high-quality output images. The images captured with X-Ray scanning methods are sufficient for discriminating various materials. Methods for the inspection of cargos with the help of electromagnetic radiation at radio frequencies are also discussed. Keywords: Cargo inspection, Electromagnetic radiation, X-ray detection Page | 1 Chapter 01 Introduction Cargo inspection is the method of inspection of goods and items in the transportation system. The increasing volumes of goods and the risk of terrorist attacks motivates cargo inspection. The scope of the research in this field is expanding and new methods are being developed. From a physics point of view, the methods of inspection are electromagnetic [30]. Scanning techniques are based on X-rays and radio frequency techniques. The aim here is to discuss new uses of very high frequencies in the case of X-rays. X-rays are electromagnetic waves with a very high frequency. The range of frequency for X-rays is from 30 PetaHertz to 30 ExaHertz. Some important RF techniques are [7]: Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Doppler Radar Switched-Antenna-Array Radar Imaging These methods are not suitable in all cases and should be used selectively. Figure 1 Inspection of cargo [1]. Page | 2 The inspection mostly deals with objects on trucks and particularly the inspection of Intermodal freight shipping containers. Intermodal freight is a mode of transportation through big containers that contain raw materials and various products. Containers are transported by different modes: ships, trains, aircraft and trucks. The scope is illustrated by the involvement of the Department of Homeland Security. The subdepartment known as the Container Security Initiative (CSI) had the goal of inspecting all cargos by 2012. The extended cargo inspection was recommended by the US Congress and the 9/11 Commission. The main aim of cargo scanning in the US is to detect various sorts of Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs), but also other suspicious cargo. The form for cargo inspection in other countries is different and oriented towards verification. Cargo inspection simplifies tariff collection and identification of contraband. Research shows that more than eighty percent of the cargos in the US was inspected in February 2009 [13]. Radiation at low frequency, used in radar for instance, could be used to detect hidden objects due to the capacity for penetration. Older techniques for this are less precise. The devices are categorized as passive or active [25]. Figure 2 Electromagnetic frequency bands [25]. Page | 3 Scope of the research There is evidence that there is an increase in terrorism and drug trafficking worldwide, aided by various modes of transport. Cargo is also used for the transportation of various explosives. Explosives, terrorism and drugs form a complex. Explosives were used in major terrorist attacks from 2001 to 2010, such as the Moscow Metro bombing and the Nevsky Express bombing. The protection of the travelers is a key objective of the cargo system. Cargo inspection detects hidden objects and provides help and support. The research is focusing on new methods for cargo inspection as well as improving existing methods. Background to the study The material of the cargo determines the methods of inspection. Inspection could be made with X-rays or radio frequency waves. X-rays can easily penetrate metallic as well as nonmetallic materials. This indicates that X-ray inspection is the most suitable form of cargo inspection for most materials. Radio Frequency (RF) techniques are normally used for nonmetallic materials. For metals like silver and aluminum, the incident frequency must be higher than the plasma frequency of that particular material. Waves that have higher frequencies