Ensuring Reliable Performance of Airport Screening Equipment

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has implemented a new standard for measuring the imaging performance of active millimeter-wave (MMW) systems used for airport security screening. The standard, published by the Institute of Electronics and Electrotechnical Engineers (IEEE), aims to provide a reliable method for verifying the operational performance of MMW systems throughout their lifecycle. This development is crucial as the number of travelers increases this summer, highlighting the need for reliable airport security screening technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new IEEE N42.59 standard applies to MMW imaging systems used for security screening of humans and provides a practical, cost-saving method for ensuring these systems are functional throughout their lifecycle.
  • The standard was developed in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and other experts to ensure the technical performance and radiation safety of security systems.
  • The standard has already demonstrated its impact, with the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) using it to assess engineering change proposals for MMW systems and DHS-funded initiatives related to artificial intelligence and synthetic data.
  • The standard is playing a crucial role in DHS-funded initiatives related to artificial intelligence and synthetic data, with Synthetik Applied Technologies and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employing it to compare the quality of synthetically generated images with real-world equivalents.
  • The standard has been adopted by TSA as part of its formal procedures for monitoring the performance of its deployed fleet of MMW people-screening systems and developed a strategy for monitoring the technical performance of fielded Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) systems.

Statistics:

  • Over 5,000 public airports in the United States are responsible for screening millions of travelers every day.
  • The new IEEE N42.59 standard applies to MMW imaging systems used for security screening of humans.
  • The standard has been adopted by TSA within its formal procedures for monitoring the performance of its deployed fleet of MMW people-screening systems.
  • The standard is playing a crucial role in DHS-funded initiatives related to artificial intelligence and synthetic data, with Synthetik Applied Technologies and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employing it to compare the quality of synthetically generated images with real-world equivalents.

Sources:

  • "Feature Article: Ensuring Reliable Performance of Airport Screening Equipment" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate.
  • "IEEE Standard for Measuring the Imaging Performance of Active Millimeter-Wave (MMW) Systems for Security Screening of Humans (IEEE N42.59-2024)"
  • "Systems Engineering and Standards" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate.
  • "Transportation Security Administration" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • "National Institute of Standards and Technology" by the U.S. Department of Commerce.