System and method for microwave imaging using programmable transmission array

• US 7,298,318 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Baharav, Izhak, Taber, Robert C., Kofol, John Stephen, Lee, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Shelley
• Application Number:
  US11/147,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20060109174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 342/176, 342179-180
• US Class Current: 342/179
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence

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.

Claims

1. A microwave imaging system, comprising:

a microwave source configured to provide microwave illumination to illuminate a target;

a microwave receiver configured to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from said target;

an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements, each of said antenna elements being programmed with a respective transmission coefficient to receive said microwave illumination from said microwave source and direct said microwave illumination towards a position on a target, said antenna elements being further 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 configured 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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, said first antenna array directing said microwave illumination towards said position on said target and said second antenna array directing said reflected microwave illumination towards said microwave receiver.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said microwave source and said microwave receiver are co-located.

3. A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising:

providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements;

programming each of said antenna elements 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.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further comprises:

receiving reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said antenna array; and

directing said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target towards a microwave receiver based on a respective additional transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, and wherein said receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source further includes receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said first antenna array, and wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further includes receiving said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said second antenna array.

6. A method for configuring an array of transmissive antenna elements to capture a microwave image of a target, comprising:

providing an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements;

programming each of said antenna elements 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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said illuminating further comprises:

receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said antenna array; and

directing said microwave illumination towards said position on the target based on a respective additional transmission coefficient associated with each of said antenna elements.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, and wherein said receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source further includes receiving said microwave illumination from said microwave source at said first antenna array, and wherein said receiving said reflected microwave illumination further includes receiving said reflected microwave illumination reflected from said position on said target at said second antenna array.