Compressive Millimeter Wave Imaging

• US 20100264316A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Delaney, Michael Joseph JR., Whelan, David Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 8,263,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/358.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors and a control system. The plurality of mirrors is capable of receiving a signal for an image. The control system is capable of controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the signal to a detector. The control system is also capable of controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from the detector.

Claims

1. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus comprising:

a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors, wherein the plurality of mirrors is capable of receiving a millimeter wave signal;

a control system capable of controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the millimeter wave signal to a detector, capable of controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from detector, and capable of randomly selecting a number of mirrors in the first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array;

an image processor capable of creating an image using the first portion of the signal detected by the detector; and

a display device in communication with the image processor, wherein the image processor is capable of displaying the image on the display device.

2. The millimeter wave imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the millimeter wave signal is a response millimeter wave signal and further comprising:

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is capable of being controlled by the image processor to transmit the millimeter wave signal to generate the response millimeter wave signal.

3. The millimeter wave imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mirror array, the control system, the image processor, and the display device form a millimeter wave imaging system and further comprising:

a platform, wherein the millimeter wave imaging system is associated with the platform and wherein the platform is selected from one of a vehicle, a portable housing, and a station.

4. An apparatus comprising:

a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors, wherein the plurality of mirrors is capable of receiving a signal for an image; and

a control system capable of controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the signal to a detector and capable of controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from the detector.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the signal is a response signal and further comprising:

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting signals to generate the response signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a processor unit capable of creating the image using the first portion of the signal detected by the detector.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

a display device, wherein the processor unit is capable of displaying the image on the display device.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

a storage device; and

program code stored on the storage device, wherein the program code is capable of being executed by the processor unit to analyze the image.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control system is capable of randomly selecting a number of mirrors in the first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a mirror having a surface with an impedance that is capable of being changed by the control system to direct a part of the signal received at the mirror, wherein the mirror is used for the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a mirror capable of being tilted about a number of axes is used for the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mirror comprises:

a microtruss structure; and

a reflective surface formed on the microtruss structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the signal has a wavelength from about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeter and a frequency from about 30 gigahertz to about 300 gigahertz.

14. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of mirrors and the control system form an imaging system and further comprising:

a platform, wherein the imaging system is associated with the platform.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the platform is selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a station, and a portable housing.

16. A method for directing a signal, the method comprising:

receiving a signal at a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors;

controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the signal to a detector; and

controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from the detector.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

randomly selecting the first portion of the plurality of mirrors from the plurality of mirrors.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

generating the image with the first portion of the signal.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

displaying the image on a display device.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

analyzing the image to identify a number of objects.