TERASCREEN

Multi-frequency multi-mode Terahertz screening for border checks

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Security checks at borders are required to be increasingly thorough and fast. There are currently two types of technologies available for this application: those that automatically detect objects concealed on a person, and those that rely on human operator analysis and interpretation in order to classify or identify body-borne threats. The objective of TeraSCREEN is to combine these two capabilities, thus providing automatic detection and classification of body-borne threats for security screening. This will significantly improve both efficiency and security at border checks. TeraSCREEN aims to develop passive and active operation at several Terahertz frequencies. The resulting multi-frequency, multi-mode images will be processed automatically in real-time to reveal the location of potentially harmful objects concealed on a person. Privacy Enhancing Technologies will be used: the information will be displayed to the operator on a generic computerised silhouette and no anatomical details will be shown or saved. Terahertz radiation is non-ionizing, and reliable studies have shown that active operation in this frequency band is harmless to humans. The automatic recognition of threats, in addition to removing privacy issues, reduces the level of attention required from the operator, which implies a reduction in the personnel necessary for continuous operation. The TeraSCREEN Prototype System will be demonstrated at a live control point in Bristol International Airport. The feedback from the End-User and Advisory Board members will facilitate, outside this project, the conversion of the prototype into an innovative security screening product that will significantly improve the security and efficiency at, and experience of, border checks. The consortium consists of 12 partners from academia, research and industry across Europe, who each play complementary roles in the project and are interested in exploiting the results together.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

There is a need for more effective security screening to detect an increasing variety of threats at border and security checkpoints. An EU initiative is developing technology to provide new capabilities in people screening.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Existing screening systems lack the technology to keep up with today's progressively demanding security needs. With the help of the EU-funded 'Multi-frequency multi-mode terahertz screening for border checks' (http://www.fp7-terascreen.com (TERASCREEN)) project, an innovative security screening technology is being designed that will enhance security and efficiency at critical checkpoints.

The project partners are creating a security scanner prototype that will use electromagnetic waves called terahertz (THz) and millimetre-waves (mm-wave) to identify harmful objects on moving persons. For example, explosive materials and improvised explosive devices emit and reflect different amounts of THz and mm-waves at different frequencies. This imaging ability can be used to reveal an explosive and differentiate it from clothing or other materials.

Hz and mm-waves are safe for screening people to automatically detect in real time metallic and non-metallic objects through clothing and other materials. The system does not use potentially harmful ionising radiation like X-rays. It will be non-invasive and safeguard privacy because no parts of the anatomy will be displayed or stored. The device will produce a generic computerised image of a human body with data on potential threats. The system will also be in line with EU laws for basic human rights and power restrictions.

The automatic threat detection and classification features will require much less analysis from security personnel, thus leading to faster processing times. The checkpoint experience will be improved since people are not required to stop during scanning.

Work has begun on developing components such as the antenna, scanning system and transmitter. The prototype will be demonstrated at a live control point in Bristol International Airport.

Once ready, the TERASCREEN state-of-the-art prototype will offer faster and safer security checks at airports, border crossings, government sites and other vital infrastructures.