Incoherent Imaging at Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Frequencies Using Noise Transmitters

Abstract

We present recent results of a new form of microwave and millimeter-wave imaging called active incoherent millimeter-wave (AIM) imaging that combines noise radar and sparse interferometric imaging techniques. Illumination of the scene with spatially and temporally incoherent noise enables the use of a sparse receiving array to capture information in the spatial frequency domain and reconstruct the scene intensity via Fourier transform. Whereas current passive interferometric imaging systems require high-gain receivers and long integration times, the use of active illumination enables image formation with comparatively low-gain receivers and fast enough image formation time to support real-time imaging. Compared to traditional active imaging systems, no beam scanning is necessary, simplifying the system architecture and providing a staring architecture. We review the fundamental theory behind AIM imaging and present results of three recent experimental implementations at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies.