Tunnel Detection and Border Monitoring Using Magnetic Induction Based Communications and Tomography

We have designed testbed experiments for Magnetic Induction based communications and tomography. The experiments will show whether or not using Magnetic Induction as a means of security from underground tunnels used for illegal human/drug trafficking is feasible. Communications: The ability to send a file using Magnetic Induction shows that we can use electromagnetic induction as a means of communication, as an alternative to propagating electromagnetic waves, which do not perform as well in underground environments. Since BPSK was successful, the flowgraph can easily be expanded to realize more complicated modulation schemes, such as QPSK (Quadrature PSK) and 8PSK. Tomography: Although a correlation was found for different depths of aluminum wrapped PVC pipes, there is no correlation when the aluminum is removed, with the chosen function generator settings. Errors in trial 3 can be caused by the function generator settings and precision errors between each trial, leading to a uncontrolled environment. Conclusions: We looked at the feasibility of magnetic induction communications and tomography for use in underground border security by developing testbed experiments. Both communications and tomography using Magnetic Induction have promising results based on the testbed.