Test object for accurate and reproducible measurement of the detection response of hand-worn and hand-held metal detectors

Published

September 6, 2016

Author(s)

Nicholas G. Paulter Jr., Donald R. Larson, John A. Ely

Abstract

The assessment of the detection performance of metal detectors (hand-worn, hand-held, and walk-through models) is based on the ability of the detectors to sound an alarm when presented with a test object. These test objects are typically actual threat items or simulated threat items The orientation of these test objects with the magnetic field generated by the metal detectors may affect the detectability of the test objects. More importantly, small misorientations of a threat object or simulated threat object may cause the operator to incorrectly attribute to the metal a higher performance than it is capable of providing. Consequently, to support accurate and reproducible characterization of the performance of a metal detector, orientation effects should be minimized or eliminated. We discuss the use of spherical test objects to eliminate this potentially serious error in the assessment of the detection performance of a metal detector. In this study, we consider only hand-worn and hand-held metal detectors because of their similarity in size and operation.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

121

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.121.019

Keywords

detection response, hand-held metal detector, hand-worn metal detector, magnetic field, object orientation, test objects

Citation

Paulter, N. , Larson, D. and Ely, J. (2016), Test object for accurate and reproducible measurement of the detection response of hand-worn and hand-held metal detectors, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.121.019 (Accessed November 4, 2025)