Based on Cambridge Consultants’ proven short range radar expertise, Sprint enables an operator to rapidly form an image of subsurface structures such as pipes and cables, as well as detecting items of interest like concealed explosives and contraband.
The company feels that Sprint will “revolutionise” counter-terrorism and crime prevention search techniques.
Law enforcement and security agencies are constantly facing new challenges as criminals and terrorists look for ever more creative ways of concealing weapons or smuggling contraband. Sprint has been designed to tackle some of the most challenging threat detection scenarios.
The London 2012 Olympics, for example, will be one of the toughest security challenges seen in the UK to date, and security services will want to leave no stone unturned in the hunt for potential threats.
Benefits over and above compact radar systems
Sprint can quickly and easily look inside anything from the floor to the roof. The handheld system may simply be moved across a surface to build a larger picture.
With many new buildings and facilities being developed for the 2012 Games, this technology could well provide a unique and innovative way of ensuring that they’re clear of any threat.
Unlike existing transmission x-ray systems, the radar-based Sprint system doesn’t require access to both sides of the object in order to scan inside, and provides an easily interpreted image of the wall structure (something which compact radar systems have previously not provided).
This significantly improves its application potential, and can enable much quicker deployment in scenarios where speed is critical.
“Whereas other options such as backscatter x-rays are cumbersome, expensive and power hungry systems,” suggested Sam Pumphrey (senior consultant at Cambridge Consultants), “and conventional radar systems have been difficult to interpret, Sprint’s use of radar and processing technology makes it possible to look inside an opaque object or surface from one side safely, cheaply and quickly by way of a low power, handheld device.”
Full synthetic aperture processing
The prototype Sprint device is the equivalent size of a standard sheet of letter paper and 15 cm deep, weighing approximately 3.5 kg with batteries. It’s a multi-channel system enabling full synthetic aperture processing, and it uses short pulses of energy with high bandwidth to enable the short range, high resolution imaging required.
Other potential applications for the technology include industrial inspection, technical search, counter surveillance and a range of military applications.
Cambridge Consultants is currently conducting extensive performance testing to take Sprint beyond the prototype stage and ready it for future commercialisation.
Sprint has been developed to sit alongside Cambridge Consultants’ Prism 200 device. Prism 200 is a handheld through-wall radar, designed to be used by the police, special forces or the emergency services.
It provides quick and covert intelligence on the movement and location of people in a room or building without the need for invasive sensors.
Further information on Cambridge Consultants
Cambridge Consultants develops ‘breakthrough products’, creates and licenses intellectual property and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide.
For 50 years now, the company has been helping its clients turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether they are launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies.
With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants operating from offices in Cambridge and Boston (in the USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications.
For further information visit the website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
Altran: innovation and high technology consulting
Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, a European leader in the fields of innovation and high technology consulting. The Group’s 17,500 consultants, operating worldwide, cover the entire range of engineering specialities, including electronics, information technology, quality and organisation.
Altran offers its clients ongoing support throughout the innovation cycle, from technology watch, applied basic research and management consulting to industrial systems engineering and information systems.
The Group provides services to most industries, including the automotive, aeronautics, space, life sciences and telecommunications sectors.
Founded in 1982, Altran operates in 20 priority countries. In 2008, it generated a turnover of euro 1,650 million.
For further details visit Altran’s website (again, a link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
