Active Sparse-Aperture Millimeter-Wave Imaging Using Digital Correlators

    Authors

    W. Caba;G. Boreman

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Infrared Millim. Terahertz Waves

    Keywords

    Active millimeter-wave imaging; Aperture synthesis; Digital correlation; Digital phase detection; Engineering, Electrical & Electronic; Optics; Physics, Applied

    Abstract

    Millimeter-wave imaging systems have desirable characteristics, particularly in their ability to form images of objects obscured by various barrier materials. However, the relatively long wavelength of the millimeter-band implies a penalty in angular resolution, usually compensated using large-aperture systems. Synthesized apertures provide the desired collecting area with a reduced number of discrete detectors. In this research we designed, built, and characterized the performance of a prototype sparse-aperture imaging system, utilizing an active 94 GHz source. Discrete sensors were used to sample the radiation field backscattered from the object. The signals were down-converted using heterodyne receivers with digital in-phase and quadrature detection. Signal correlations were performed using the digitized data sets to reconstruct millimeter-wave images. Image-quality performance was experimentally evaluated using four different non-redundant aperture configurations, with good agreement to the theoretical expressions. The feasibility of digital electronic-focusing correction was also demonstrated over an object range from 400 to 700 mm.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Infrared Millimeter and Terahertz Waves

    Volume

    32

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    434

    Last Page

    450

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000290809000005

    ISSN

    1866-6892

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