By using a multiple-probes system a speed of a terrain search is increased significantly. Detection rate remains high and the human operator can operate the device from the safe distance. The sensing device is crucial part of a buried landmines detection system. A proposed device is designed to resemble the manual probing technique performed by the human deminer. Position and speed are measured by an incremental encoder.
Position is measured relative to the module reference position, determined by a micro switch.
The force sensor is attached to the base of the probe to measure a ground penetration force. A 30 cm long needle is attached to the end of the linear module. During measurement, it penetrates into the ground to detect a buried object. Depth of the buried object is determined by measuring the distance from reference position to the point where the probe makes contacts with an object. Detection of the touch point is performed by the force profile analysis.