Weapon detection using a wideband millimeter-wave linear array imaging technique

David M. Sheen; Douglas L. McMakin; H. Dale Collins; Thomas E. Hall

doi:10.1117/12.171271

28 March 1994 Weapon detection using a wideband millimeter-wave linear array imaging technique

David M. Sheen, Douglas L. McMakin, H. Dale Collins, Thomas E. Hall

Proceedings Volume 2092, Substance Detection Systems; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171271
Event: Substance Identification Technologies, 1993, Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract

A wideband millimeter-wave imaging technique has been developed by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for the detection of concealed weapons carried by personnel through high- security areas, such as airports. A practical airport system based on this technique should be capable of real-time image frame rate of 10 to 30 frames per second. This technique, similar to an extremely high-resolution radar system, actively probes the target with millimeter-waves and reconstructs an image from the backscattered phase and amplitude data. The primary goal of the system is the detection of weapons and the placement of the detected weapon on the body. An important additional goal is the identification of detected items, which requires a high resolution imaging technique. An experimental system has been developed at PNL which has gathered millimeter wave imagery from clothed mannequins and human beings carrying concealed weapons. This system is capable of forming images in excess of 1 meter by 2 meters at resolutions on the order of 1 cm, and is capable of scanning in less than 5 seconds. This experimental system could be enhanced to function in real time by eliminating the relatively slow mechanical scan. A sequentially switched linear array of transceiver antennas would allow real-time gathering of the imaging information, since the data would be electronically scanned in the lateral direction and electronically swept in frequency. This allows formation of a 2D image from a 1D array of transceiver antennas.

Citation Download Citation

David M. Sheen, Douglas L. McMakin, H. Dale Collins, and Thomas E. Hall "Weapon detection using a wideband millimeter-wave linear array imaging technique", Proc. SPIE 2092, Substance Detection Systems, (28 March 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171271

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