Life detectors with UWB radar - SCAN

Following a natural disaster, urban search and rescue teams must act quickly and efficiently in the first few hours following the disaster to save victims as quickly as possible. Urban search and rescue (USAR) teams often use victim location dogs (dog sniffer teams), electronic life locator devices with seismic sensors/acoustic sensors, USAR search cameras, etc... But that’s not all!

One of the latest innovations in terms of victim location equipment is the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) rescue radar, also called the “UWB (ultra wide band) radar”, “Georadar”, “Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)”, “movement detection radar”, “victim location scanner”, “USAR radar”, etc.

This cutting-edge peripheral is used to detect and locate buried victims under rubble in real-time following natural disasters.

The SCAN radar sensor is one of the 5 peripherals used for urban search and rescue operations. It is part of a rescue team’s toolkit, just like seismic sensors/seismic detectors and USAR life locator cameras.

The SCAN search radar uses highly sensitive stabilised Ultra Wide Band technology to detect the movements of a conscious or unconscious person buried under rubble. It can detect the smallest movements - even the breathing of an unconscious person!

WHAT IS UWB TECHNOLOGY? AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

UWB is a radio modulation technique based on the transmission of very short impulses, whose strong penetration power can detect the movement of buried victims.

The SCAN UWB rescue radar is a transmitting/receiving device with an ultra-sensitive UWB sensor producing electromagnetic waves that can pass through construction materials.

It can scan/probe through 50 cm of dense concrete or any other construction material such as bricks, asphalt, sand, wood, tiles, plastic, plaster and glass. (Note that electromagnetic waves cannot pass through metal surfaces, damp surfaces (clay), or water).

HOW IS THE UWB RESCUE RADAR USED? OR HOW DOES A UWB RESCUE RADAR WORK?

• 1. The sensor must be placed in contact with the rubble (there must be no space between the lower part of the device and the rubble) by a rescuer and must be regularly moved based on a virtual search grid so that the radar can survey below the surface. The objective is to map the zone by identifying the location of buried victims.
• 2. During this time, a second search and rescue specialist monitors progress on the remote wireless control box in real time.
  => When the UWB radar sensor detects a conscious or unconscious person under the rubble, the screen displays an icon indicating the depth at which the victim is found, as well as the frequency of the victim’s movements (strong/weak) to determine whether it is a human or not. This means survivors can be detected very quickly in real time. Its high sensitivity and the stability of its signal allow detection with precision down to 1 metre:
  • strong and irregular movements such as the movement of a conscious victim’s arm up to 30 metres in free field conditions.
  • Or regular weak movements, such as the chest movements/breathing of a victim, even if unconscious, up to 10 metres in free field conditions.

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology detects movements located along the sensor's search axis. The shape of the signal is an inverted cone which detects the reflection of moving objects or those typical of breathing in a search area which can reach around 28,275 m3.

FEATURES OF THE UWB RESCUE RADAR

A UWB RADAR SENSOR SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS

The most compact and lightweight UWB sensor in its category, it was designed to be rapidly deployed during search and rescue operations by USAR teams worldwide!

The SCAN UWB radar was developed for use in the most difficult environments. The UWB life detector sensor (radar antenna and electronics) is protected by a waterproof, shockproof case.

The Lithium-Ion battery offers 4 hours of running time. Easily interchangeable, it can be replaced in just a few seconds. Also, a battery level indicator can be seen on the outside of the case to avoid needing to open it during search and rescue missions.
 

TWO TYPES OF CONNECTION TO THE CONTROL BOX: WIRELESS OR WIRED

The sensor can be connected to the control box in two ways:

• Wi-Fi with a 50-metre range, avoiding problems linked to cables trapped under rubble.
• Sealed wired USB connection (5 m cable) supplied in the event of surrounding interference preventing the use of Wi-Fi.

INTERFACE AND MAIN FUNCTIONS

The control box screen gives information on movements (weak or regular, such as breathing/strong or irregular, such as an arm movement) and indicates the distance at which the survivor(s) are located, helping SAR teams to locate them efficiently.

The screen is divided into two parts:

• An oscillogram (graph) representing movements (number and intensity).
• a detection area (cone) where the “Weak movt” or “Strong movt” icons appear to locate the depth at which the movement has been detected.

OSCILLOGRAM FUNCTION:

The UWB detector has an oscillogram function to view the strongest signal in real time. This function focuses on the movement detected in the search zone and can verify the frequency of the movement (regular/irregular) and the strength of movement (weak or strong). This can confirm the presence of movement, and determine whether it is a human or not.

Repeated wide oscillations indicate a repeated movement (e.g. a victim tapping). The depth of oscillations indicate the intensity of the movement (strong or weak). The frequency of movements helps us deduce whether or not it is a human.

TWO SEARCH MODES:

The SCAN rescue radar has two search modes:

• automatic search mode for quick deployment: The device automatically analyses several predefined zones (0-3 m, 6-9 m, 9-12 m) and shows the depth at which the movement was detected and the strength of movement (strong or weak) once the analysis is complete.
• manual search mode defined by the user with selection of search zone (choice of minimum and maximum search depth). This mode displays the depth at which the movement was detected and the strength of movement (strong or weak) in real-time, and notably helps eliminate interference from outside the selected zone, as well as limiting false alerts.

COMPATIBLE CONTROL BOX: THE MULTI-APP BOX

The SCAN radar sensor is one of the 5 peripherals which can be connected to LEADER MULTI-APP control boxes.

What is the MULTI-APP control box?

The MULTI-APP control box is used to connect up to 5 interchangeable peripherals in turn (SCAN, SEARCH, CAM, TIC, RD90):

• VERSATILE: Up to 5 interchangeable peripherals with the same control box!
• CONFIGURABLE: Create a kit suited to your needs in terms of search and rescue operations!
• UPGRADEABLE: Add one or several new peripherals which can be changed at any time (several months or years after purchasing the initial kit) to upgrade your kit!
   

Find more details about the MULTI-APP box on the following page: LEADER MULTI-APP control boxes.
Discover the MULTISEARCH concept and all peripherals, existing kits and accessories in our catalogue at the following link: USAR catalogue

EXISTING PREDEFINED KITS

Discover all search equipment using the “SCAN - UWB rescue radar” at this page :

Discover the MULTISEARCH concept and all peripherals, existing kits and accessories in our catalogue at the following link: USAR catalogue
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