Homeland Security wants to use ultra-wideband radar to detect humans through walls

Posted by John Keller

WASHINGTON, 27 Nov. 2009. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington are canvassing industry to see who could build an ultra-wideband radar system able to detect humans through steel-reinforced concrete walls as thick as 16 inches.

This DHS Directorate of Science and Technology request for information (RFI), called Radio Frequency Systems for Through-the-Wall Observation (OPO-10-00000-RFI-RFS) is asking industry for information on the availability and maturity of existing RF sensor technologies for through-the-wall detection of humans or human activity with radar technology.

This ultra wideband radar technology may become part of a system with RF sensors, communications, computers and software for radar signal processing, and the ability to display detection information on a stand-alone computer or existing graphic user interface (GUI).

Several ultra-wideband devices have been developed for this application, officials point out, and DHS wants more information on these systems, as well as those in any other applicable frequency bands.

Suggested technologies should be able to:

-- distinguish humans from small animals;
-- be powered from a local power grid;
-- be stored without maintenance or battery replacement for as long as a year;
-- be monitored from a networked computer;
-- generate a computer alarm;
-- have wired or wireless communications;
-- be buried in dirt; and
-- be weatherproof.

Those interested should respond to DHS with seven-page white papers by 3 p.m. eastern time 11 Dec. 2009. E-mail white papers to the DHS's contract specialist Alula Abera at [email protected].

For questions, contact Abera by e-mail, or by phone at 202-254-6896. For questions, also contact the DHS's Joseph Wolfinger by phone at 202-254-6627, or by e-mail at [email protected].

More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/OPO-10-00000-RFI-RFS/listing.html

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