Standoff concealed weapon detection using a 350-GHz radar imaging system

Sheen, David M.; Hall, Thomas; Severtsen, Ronald H.; McMakin, Douglas L.; Hatchell, Brian K.; Valdez, Patrick Lj

doi:10.1117/12.852788

Cited by 59 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…Among promising candidates for active stand-off imaging are the 350 GHz and 675 GHz frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar imagers developed by PNNL and JPL, respectively [18,19]. The ranging capability is of great importance, as it avoids the strong first-surface (clothing) reflections to reveal the much weaker signatures beneath the clothes [72].…”

Section: Imaging Smmw Radar Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…c A disk of simulant energetic material is revealed by scattering from edges, while the bulk material is transparent. Stand-off active imaging at 350 GHz d, e [18] and at f 600 GHz using coherent illumination [19]. A concealed package on the stomach area is recognized by the contrast in the 2D image d and by its 3D form using range gating e. Similar range gating discriminates characteristic form at 600 GHz f.…”

Section: Active (Coherent) Millimeter Wave Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Imaging in Security Applications

Luukanen

Appleby

Kemp³

et al. 2012

Springer Series in Optical Sciences

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The relatively short wavelength of mm-wave and THz radiation coupled with good transmission through many dielectric materials allows images to be formed of concealed objects. This chapter gives an overview of the detectors, their associated circuitry, and system developments over the past 10 years, focussing on personnel security screening. We will discuss the phenomenology of imaging at these wavelengths, introduce the reader to the basic architectures being used and developed for image forming instruments, show examples of systems, and also discuss the feasibility of spectroscopic THz imaging for security screening applications.

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Section: Imaging Smmw Radar Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Active (Coherent) Millimeter Wave Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Imaging in Security Applications

Luukanen

Appleby

Kemp³

et al. 2012

Springer Series in Optical Sciences

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“…Active imaging methods, that is illuminating the persons under test using artificial sub-millimeter-wave sources and detecting the reflected radiation, suffer from the low reflectivity of the human skin in the submillimeter range [3,4] and from a number of inherent problems such as specular reflections, angular orientation effects, interference effects, and unwanted clothing reflections [5]. Illuminating the scene is difficult since most available sources provide directed and coherent radiation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive 350 GHz Video Imaging Systems for Security Applications

Heinz

May

Born

et al. 2015

J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves

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Passive submillimeter-wave imaging is a concept that has been in the focus of interest as a promising technology for personal security screening for a number of years. In contradiction to established portal-based millimeter-wave scanning techniques, it allows for scanning people from a distance in real time with high throughput and without a distinct inspection procedure. This opens up new possibilities for scanning, which directly address an urgent security need of modern societies: protecting crowds and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of individual terror attacks. Considering the low radiometric contrast of indoor scenes in the submillimeter range, this objective calls for an extremely high detector sensitivity that can only be achieved using cooled detectors. Our approach to this task is a series of passive standoff video cameras for the 350 GHz band that represent an evolving concept and a continuous development since 2007. Arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES), operated at temperatures below 1 K, are used as radiation detectors. By this means, background limited performance (BLIP) mode is achieved, providing the maximum possible signal to noise ratio. At video rates, this leads to a temperature resolution well below 1 K. The imaging system is completed by reflector optics based on freeform mirrors. For object distances of 5-25 m, a field of view up to 2 m height and J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves a diffraction-limited spatial resolution in the order of 1-2 cm is provided. Optomechanical scanning systems are part of the optical setup and capable of frame rates of up to 25 frames per second.

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“…Most submillimetre wave radars make use of solid-state frequency multiplier chains [3,4,5,6,7], exploiting both MMIC and Schottky diode technologies, to generate transmit powers which are typically in the milliwatt class. When combined with sensitive heterodyne or homodyne receivers, these radars can achieve high dynamic ranges.…”

Section: Overview Of Submillimetre Wave Radarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Submillimetre wave 3D imaging radar for security applications

Robertson¹,

Macfarlane²,

Cassidy³

et al. 2016

IET Colloquium on Millimetre-Wave and Terahertz Engineering [Amp ] Technology 2016

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There is ongoing worldwide interest in finding solutions to enhance the security of civilians at airports, borders and high risk public areas in ways which are safe, ethical and streamlined. One promising approach is to use submillimetre wave 3D imaging radar to detect concealed threats as it offers the advantages of high volumetric resolution (~1 cm3) with practically sized antennas (<0.5 m) such that even quite small objects can be resolved through clothing. The Millimetre Wave Group at the University of St Andrews has been developing submillimetre wave 3D imaging radars for security applications since 2007. A significant goal is to achieve near real-time frame rates of at least 10 Hz, to cope with dynamic scenes, over wide fields of view at short range with high pixel counts. We review the radar systems we have developed at 340 and 220 GHz and the underpinning technologies which we have employed to realise these goals.

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Standoff concealed weapon detection using a 350-GHz radar imaging system

Cited by 59 publications

References 0 publications

Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Imaging in Security Applications

Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Imaging in Security Applications

Passive 350 GHz Video Imaging Systems for Security Applications

Submillimetre wave 3D imaging radar for security applications

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