Advances in real-time millimeter-wave imaging radiometers for avionic synthetic vision

John A. Lovberg; Ri-Chee Chou; Christopher A. Martin; Joseph A. Galliano Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.212748

30 June 1995 Advances in real-time millimeter-wave imaging radiometers for avionic synthetic vision

John A. Lovberg, Ri-Chee Chou, Christopher A. Martin, Joseph A. Galliano Jr.

Proceedings Volume 2463, Synthetic Vision for Vehicle Guidance and Control; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212748
Event: SPIE's 1995 Symposium on OE/Aerospace Sensing and Dual Use Photonics, 1995, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Millimeter-wave imaging has advantages over conventional visible or infrared imaging for many applications because millimeter-wave signals can travel through fog, snow, dust, and clouds with much less attenuation than infrared or visible light waves. Additionally, passive imaging systems avoid many problems associated with active radar imaging systems, such as radar clutter, glint, and multi-path return. ThermoTrex Corporation previously reported on its development of a passive imaging radiometer that uses an array of frequency-scanned antennas coupled to a multichannel acousto-optic spectrum analyzer (Bragg-cell) to form visible images of a scene through the acquisition of thermal blackbody radiation in the millimeter-wave spectrum. The output from the Bragg cell is imaged by a standard video camera and passed to a computer for normalization and display at real-time frame rates. An application of this system is its incorporation as part of an enhanced vision system to provide pilots with a synthetic view of a runway in fog and during other adverse weather conditions. Ongoing improvements to a 94 GHz imaging system and examples of recent images taken with this system will be presented. Additionally, the development of dielectric antennas and an electro- optic-based processor for improved system performance, and the development of an `ultra- compact' 220 GHz imaging system will be discussed.

Citation Download Citation

John A. Lovberg, Ri-Chee Chou, Christopher A. Martin, and Joseph A. Galliano Jr. "Advances in real-time millimeter-wave imaging radiometers for avionic synthetic vision", Proc. SPIE 2463, Synthetic Vision for Vehicle Guidance and Control, (30 June 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212748

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