FOD Finder™

click on picture to see FOD Finder's components and options

The FOD Finder™ system consists of a millimeter band radar mounted on a vehicle to provide mobility.  The FOD Finder ™ system includes a radar sensor with video capture capabilities, and on-board data processing controlled by a tablet PC, which serves as the interface with the user.  The radar incorporates a 78-81 gHz sensor mounted on a reciprocating platform that allows scanning a field of approximately 80o  in front of the vehicle.  The antenna tilt is fixed in relation to the vehicle, scanning at the rate of 30 scans per minute and providing a detection distance in front of the vehicle of approximately 200 m with a detection “cell” of approximately 1m by 1m.  The system also features a high quality GPS that can be calibrated to reach near differential GPS accuracy and a photographic system that is coordinated with the system software to provide images of detected FOD.  The user sets a detection rectangle in front of the vehicle manually and calibrates the GPS before a detection run.  FOD detection is achieved as the vehicle is moving forward with speed variable up to approximately 30 mph.  The user display includes an aerial photograph of the area of operation with overlays that include an icon for the vehicle, radar scan line, and labeled indicators detected FOD items.  Another feature of the FOD Finder ™is a camera mounted to the roof of the cab, which is used to photograph FOD items retrieved.  When FOD is retrieved and photographed in the vehicle, the system generates a label for the FOD item that includes date, time, and location in a printed and bar code.  FOD items are numbered sequentially in order of detection.  The display also includes a data table that requires user action to confirm the disposition of FOD items detected. Each photograph is stored with other FOD information in the on-board computer.  The data table accumulates FOD item actions for a session, and when a session is complete, the data table automatically uploads to an internet-based data management system.