Millimeter-wave Imaging Technique Research Articles

An efficient sub-aperture millimeter-wave imaging technique based on boundary-type MIMO array

Millimeter-wave (MMW) 3-D imaging based on multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar has been widely studied due to its unique advantages in human security screening. However, more research has been done on the use of scanning 1-D MIMO array and the fast imaging methods that match them. This limits the rate of data acquisition and imaging speed to some extent. It is necessary to study frame rate imaging system as well as efficient imaging methods. In this article, a boundary-type MIMO array is designed, based on which an efficient frequency-domain imaging algorithm with sub-aperture is proposed. The proposed algorithm solves the target reflectivity function by dividing the uniform array into two sub-apertures and solving the echo signals of each sub-aperture separately. The final target reflectivity function is obtained by superposing all the solutions. Compared with the advanced RMA, FSA and FωK algorithms, the proposed sub-aperture frequency-domain imaging algorithm (SFA) does not require a large amount of zero-padding to satisfy the requirements of fast Fourier transform (FFT) in all dimensions. It greatly improves the speed of imaging and saves the space required for computation. We derive the theoretical formulation of SFA applied to MIMO array and analyze its computational complexity and phase error. Simulation and experiment verify the efficiency of the proposed SFA.

Carton-Missing Detection System Based on the Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technique

Carton-Missing Detection System Based on the Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technique

Multichannel Phase Calibration for Linear Array Based on Extended <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\omega K$</tex-math> </inline-formula> Algorithm and Minimum-Entropy Method

Millimeter-wave imaging techniques have been used for security inspection at important checkpoints. With the increase of working frequencies of the imaging systems, the precise multichannel phase calibration becomes more and more important. Most of the traditional algorithms are used for the calibration of passive receiving antenna array, based on the signal model of far-field plane wave. However, the near-field spherical wave model should be utilized for the active wideband near-field imaging applications. Consequently, the traditional calibration algorithms cannot be used in wideband near-field imaging systems. The metal plate is usually employed for the calibration of wideband near-field imaging systems, but the precision is very sensitive to the flatness of the surface of the metal plate, which will result in additional phase error after calibration. In this letter, a multichannel phase error estimation and calibration method is proposed for the wideband linear array system. By using an extended $\omega K$ algorithm and the minimum-entropy method, the additional phase error of each channel after preliminary calibration is estimated and calibrated. Simulations and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Three-Dimensional Compressed Sensing-Based Millimeter-Wave Imaging

An extension of compressed sensing (CS)-based millimeter-wave imaging techniques from two- to three-dimensional (2-D to 3-D) is presented. The idea is to study the reduction in the minimum number of receivers with respect to standard synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging to accurately recover the geometry of the object-under-test. 3-D CS main drawback is the increased calculation time with respect to standard SAR algorithms. To overcome this limitation, a novel technique consisting in splitting a large problem as a combination of small ones is proposed. These small problems can be solved via parallelized 3-D CS, resulting in calculation time savings. Moreover, practical implementation of a 3-D CS-based millimeter-wave imaging system is discussed. Validation with simulations and measurements is presented.

Rapid Rotary Scanner and Portable Coherent Wideband Q-Band Transceiver for High-Resolution Millimeter-Wave Imaging Applications

Millimeter-wave imaging techniques, based on synthetic aperture focusing (SAF), have been successfully used for nondestructive testing (NDT) of various composite and aerospace structures. Most current imaging mechanisms utilize raster scanning platforms, whereby the imaging system is scanned in a rectangular grid over the structure-under-test (SUT). Most raster scanning platforms, although relatively simple in design and construction, are inherently slow. Furthermore, SAF techniques necessitates the use of vector-measuring instruments such as a vector network analyzer (VNA), which are typically: 1) bulky; 2) cannot be mounted on scanning platforms; 3) are not suitable for in-field use; and 4) expensive. These factors limit the effectiveness of these millimeter-wave imaging techniques in applications where frequent and rapid inspection of large structures is required. Hence, there is a great demand for rapid mechanical scanning systems combined with portable wideband transceivers in order to increase the utility of these imaging techniques, and provide a real solution to many practical NDT applications. To this end, a unique rotary scanner system, capable of scanning a relatively large area in a relatively short span of time, was designed and constructed. In addition, a custom-designed portable transceiver system operating in the frequency range of 35-45 GHz (Q-band) was developed and incorporated into the rotary scanner system for producing coherent (amplitude and phase) and accurate data suitable for synthetic aperture imaging and the 10-GHz bandwidth allows the generation of relatively high-resolution millimeter-wave holographical images. This paper presents the design of the rotary scanning system, the associated Q-band transceiver and the integration of the two systems via a custom-designed software. To illustrate the efficacy of the complete imaging system, SAF of several complex structures produced using the proposed system, are presented and discussed.

Passive Millimeter-Wave Microscopy

A new type of millimeter-wave imaging technique, passive millimeter-wave microscopy is proposed and demonstrated. Passive millimeter-wave imaging techniques when combined with scanning near-field microscopy enable direct observation of millimeter-wave signals thermally emitted from the viewed object with a spatial resolution below the diffraction limit. Details of our passive microscope system operating at Ka-band frequencies are explained. Millimeter-wave images obtained with the system are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of this new imaging technique.

Three-dimensional millimeter-wave imaging for concealed weapon detection

Millimeter-wave imaging techniques and systems have been developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, for the detection of concealed weapons and contraband at airports and other secure locations. These techniques were derived from microwave holography techniques that utilize phase and amplitude information recorded over a two-dimensional aperture to reconstruct a focused image of the target. Millimeter-wave imaging is well suited for the detection of concealed weapons or other contraband carried on personnel since millimeter-waves are nonionizing, readily penetrate common clothing material, and are reflected from the human body and any concealed items. In this paper, a wide-bandwidth three-dimensional holographic microwave imaging technique is described. Practical weapon detection systems for airport or other high-throughput applications require high-speed scanning on the order of 3 to 10 s. To achieve this goal, a prototype imaging system utilizing a 27-33 GHz linear sequentially switched array and a high-speed linear scanner has been developed and tested. This system is described in detail along with numerous imaging results.