System and method for microwave imaging using programmable transmission array
First Claim
1. A microwave imaging system, comprising:
- a microwave source for providing microwave illumination to illuminate a target;
a microwave receiver for receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said target;
an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to direct said microwave illumination towards a position on a target, said antenna elements being further capable of being programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target and direct said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver; and
a processor operable to measure an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of said target constructed by said processor.
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Abstract
A microwave imaging system uses microwave radiation provided by a microwave source to image targets. The system includes an array of antenna elements that are capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to direct the microwave illumination from the microwave source toward a position on the target. The antenna elements are further capable of being programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from the position on the target and direct the reflected microwave illumination towards a microwave receiver. A processor is operable to measure an intensity of the reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of the target. Multiple beams can be directed towards the target to obtain corresponding pixel values for use by the processor in constructing the image.
48 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A microwave imaging system, comprising:
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a microwave source for providing microwave illumination to illuminate a target;
a microwave receiver for receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said target;
an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to direct said microwave illumination towards a position on a target, said antenna elements being further capable of being programmed with a respective additional transmission coefficient to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target and direct said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver; and
a processor operable to measure an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of said target constructed by said processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for microwave imaging of a target, comprising:
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providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient;
receiving microwave illumination at said antenna array from a microwave source;
directing said microwave illumination towards a position on said target based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements;
receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target;
measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and
constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for microwave imaging of a target, comprising:
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providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being capable of being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient;
illuminating a position on said target with microwave illumination from a microwave source;
receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said antenna array;
directing said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target towards a microwave receiver based on said respective transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements;
measuring an intensity of said reflected microwave illumination to determine a pixel; and
constructing an image including multiple pixel values associated with multiple positions on said target. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification