Field Energy Recoil Emission Technology (FERET)

Passenger safety concerns have prompted the FAA to elicit energy-sensitive neutron detectors which do not rely on the time-of-flight method and are suitable for use in explosive detection systems. Invocon, Inc. proposes to design an inspection system consisting of an energy source and a detector. Designated FERET sytem, (Field Energy Recoid Emission Technology), it would detect substances identified as having explosive capabilities. Detection is accomplished by using high energy particles to non-destructively penetrate volumes of freight and luggage as they move from location to location in automated handling systems. The system would alarm when target substances are detected, thus identifying the suspect freight or luggage item for removal and manual inspection. It will also incorporate a neural network concept using spectrum distribution and patter recognition schemes to amplify a desirable pattern and suppress unwanted noice. Essentially a dynamic filter, the network would be trained a priori by previously calibrated results, thereby increasing its detection sensitivity while reducing false alarms by detecting and cataloging patterns that exist in day-to-day operation. All detection, discrimination, and classification data processing relating to the detection and interactive learning system can be performed on PC level computer hardware, thus resulting in a uniquely efficient design.