Harald Jentsch, director of sales for aviation security scanners at Rohde & Schwarz, explains how the company is seeking to advance airport security with walk-through scanning technology
Today’s airports are busier than ever and need cutting-edge technology to address the challenge of efficiently screening the rapidly growing number of passengers. Rohde & Schwarz is deploying advanced security screening technology at airports worldwide, aiming to improve both efficiency and threat detection. The company is focusing on millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to address evolving security challenges and increasing passenger volumes.
Rohde & Schwarz’s solutions are designed to detect metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons, explosives,and an emerging variety of items such as 3D-printed weaponry, suspicious liquids and many other prohibited items. Rohde & Schwarz aims to maintain stringent international security standards while enhancing the overall travel experience through its technology.
The QPS Walk2000 scanner represents a significant shift in screening methodology. Unlike traditional scanners requiring static poses, it allows passengers to walk through at a normal pace. The system detects threats in real time and projects their location directly onto an avatar, enabling security personnel to quickly focus on potential issues, allowing for targeted search procedures such as pat-downs. The scanner is designed to boost operational efficiency, reducing bottlenecks and improving throughput without compromising security, thus decreasing alarm rates.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) adopted the technology at the end of 2023, installing up to 12 scanners for employee screening in restricted areas. Previously, employee screening involved more time-consuming methods requiring divestment of outerwear and personal items. The scanner eliminates these delays, scanning employees quickly and efficiently without them having to remove badges, jackets or shoes. This system supports high-volume throughput during peak times, such as shift changes, making it a transformative solution for modern airport security needs.
To date, the QPS Walk2000 is the first scanner used for screening regular passengers at Frankfurt Airport. It is the first airport worldwide to regularly deploy a 360° walk-through mmWave security scanner, setting a new standard of passenger screening and authorized for full-scale use by the German Federal Police after a year-long trial. Several other airports are keen to deploy the walk-through technology either partly or fully with passengers and staff.
Just recently, Rohde & Schwarz achieved a significant milestone, receiving approval of detection capability from the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) for its most recent QPS Walk2000 device, which allows passengers to walk through the system at a much higher speed and also has enhanced capabilities to detect threats.
As security threats and requirements are constantly evolving, customers want to ensure that their investment in mmWave screening solutions is futureproof and able to keep up with changing requirements and technological advances. Therefore, it is essential that security equipment can be adapted and regularly updated to address specific security applications over its operational lifetime. The Rohde & Schwarz roadmap focuses on continuously enhancing detection capabilities and adapting to evolving threats and specific application needs.
Rohde & Schwarz highlights a broader industry trend toward aligning innovation with stringent international standards as security solutions expand beyond aviation to protect critical infrastructure, aiming to deliver futureproof systems capable of adapting to emerging security threats.
