Gunshot acoustic signature specific features and false alarms reduction

Abstract

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the most specific parameters of gunshot signatures through models as well as through real data. The models for the different contributions to gunshot typical signature (shock and muzzle blast) are presented and used to discuss the variation of measured signatures over the different environmental conditions and shot configurations. The analysis is followed by a description of the performance requirements for gunshot detection systems, from sniper detection that was the main concern 10 years ago, to the new and more challenging conditions faced in today operations. The work presented examines the process of how systems are deployed and used as well as how the operational environment has changed. The main sources of false alarms and new threats such as RPGs and mortars that acoustic gunshot detection systems have to face today are also defined and discussed. Finally, different strategies for reducing false alarms are proposed based on the acoustic signatures. Different strategies are presented through various examples of specific missions ranging from vehicle protection to area protection. These strategies not only include recommendation on how to handle acoustic information for the best efficiency of the acoustic detector but also recommends some add-on sensors to enhance system overall performance.

Directional Resonant MEMS Acoustic Sensor and Associated Acoustic Vector Sensor

“…This will maximize drone detection while filtering out other acoustic sources. More details on these types of acoustic sources can be found in [49][50][51][52][53]. Figure 15a,b shows the typical acoustic signatures of pistol gunfire and a small fourrotor drone, respectively, measured with a broadband microphone (Piezotronics Model 378A21).…”

“…This will maximize drone detection while filtering out other acoustic sources. More details on these types of acoustic sources can be found in [49][50][51][52][53].…”

Comparison of supersonic bullet ballistic models for accurate localisation of small arms fire

“…The firing of a supersonic bullet produces two acoustic impulses [1, 2]: the muzzle blast (MB) generated during the launch of the bullet from the rifle and the ballistic shock wave (SW) generated by the supersonic flight of the bullet. There has been considerable research in locating the shooter (or point of fire) using both MB and ballistic SW arrivals at a single sensor node (which consists of a small array of sensors) [3–5], a network of sensor nodes [6, 7], or distributed sensors [8–11].…”

Acoustic ranging of small arms fire using a single sensor node collocated with the target

“…1,2 By measuring the differential time of arrival (DTOA) and differential angle of arrival (DAOA) of these two signals at a single acoustic sensor node, the range of the point of fire (source range) can be estimated. The conventional ranging method assumes that the speed of the bullet is constant.…”