Active Identify Friend/Foe Intruder System

Commercial perimeter monitoring systems rely heavily upon visual band CCD surveillance cameras. To enhance monitoring operations at night, the military often adds IR surveillance technology, as well as low light TV capability. In all of these image-based monitoring activities, we expect a human operator to confirm intruder alerts before the intruder is close enough to be positively identified. Thus, positive confirmation requires personnel to issue verbal challenges to distinguish between intruders and authorized personnel. We propose the alternative of providing authorization through an active transponding system which can be interrogated through existing image-based surveillance equipment, even when the personnel are located at extreme ranges. This approach is compatible with visual and IR band surveillance imaging systems and also supports providing low cost IFF function to the individual soldier.