Passive millimeter-wave detector

• US 9,207,317 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ariel-University Research And Development Company Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ariel-University Research And Development Company Ltd.
• Inventors: Einat, Moshe, Kapilevich, Boris, Shulzinger, Alexander, Litvak, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr
• Application Number:
  US14/111,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 342/21, 342/22, 342/27, 342/28, 342/89, 342/175, 342/176, 342/179, 342192-197, 342/350, 342/351, 342/91, 340/500, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 250/336.1, 250/338.1, 343/700.R, 343/753, 343/754
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation

Abstract

Disclosed are passive millimeter wave detection devices that in some embodiments are useful for detecting objects such as weapons obscured underneath clothing. Also disclosed are methods for detecting objects using millimeter waves, in some embodiments, objects such as weapons, obscured underneath clothing.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a concealed object in a region of interest on a person, comprising:

scanning said region of interest using a passive millimeter-wave detector comprising an antenna configured to receive millimeter wave radiation;

providing to a processor an output of said scanning by said detector, which output comprises a signal corresponding to an intensity of said received millimeter wave radiation;

in said processor, storing said output of said scanning;

in said processor, processing a plot corresponding to said stored output to identify whether said plot is unimodal or bimodal; and

indicating a result to an operator of said detector, wherein;

if said plot is bimodal, indicating to said operator that a concealed object is potentially detected.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said indicating said result comprises, if said plot is unimodal, indicating to said operator that no concealed object was detected.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising calibrating said detector by scanning an exposed portion of said person, outside said region of interest, prior to said scanning said region of interest.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said detector has dimensions and weight that allow one-handed operation.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antenna has a main lobe having an angular width in the range of 1 degree to 12 degrees.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antenna has a main lobe having an angular width in the range of 2 degrees to 9 degrees.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antenna comprises a horn antenna.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said antenna comprises a focusing lens configured to focus incoming millimeter wave radiation into said horn antenna.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said intensity is of a portion of said received millimeter wave radiation having a frequency between 30 GHz and 300 GHz.

10. A method according to claim 1, also comprising providing to said operator an indication of said intensity of said received millimeter wave radiation.

11. A passive millimeter wave detector, comprising:

a directional antenna configured to receive millimeter wave radiation having an intensity from a region of interest, and to output an electrical signal having an amplitude corresponding to said intensity;

a high-frequency amplifier functionally associated with said directional antenna and configured to receive said electrical signal, to modulate said signal using a modulating signal, to amplify components of said electrical signal having high frequency, and to provide as output an amplified modulated signal corresponding to said electrical signal having amplified high frequency components;

a high-frequency detector functionally associated with said high-frequency amplifier and configured to receive said amplified modulated signal, to restore said modulating signal, and to provide as output a demodulated signal corresponding in amplitude to said amplitude of said electrical signal;

a low-frequency amplifier functionally associated with said high-frequency detector and configured to receive said demodulated signal, to amplify components of said demodulated signal having low-frequency, and to provide as output a signal having an amplitude corresponding to said amplitude of said demodulated signal, in digital format; and

an intensity indicator functionally associated with said low-frequency amplifier and configured to receive said signal in said digital format and to indicate said intensity of said received millimeter wave radiation.

12. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, wherein said detector has dimensions and weight that allow it to be operated with one hand.

13. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, wherein said antenna comprises a horn antenna.

14. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 13, wherein said antenna comprises a focusing lens configured to focus incoming millimeter wave radiation into said horn antenna.

15. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, wherein said high-frequency amplifier is configured to amplify components of said electrical signal received from said antenna having frequencies of 70 GHz and higher.

16. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, wherein said low-frequency amplifier is configured to amplify components of said electrical signal received from said antenna having frequencies up to 110 GHz.

17. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, and further comprising a processor, functionally associated with said low-frequency amplifier and with said intensity indicator, and configured to:

during a period of time receive and store said output signal of said low-frequency amplifier in said digital format;

identify whether a plot of said stored output signal in said second format is unimodal or bimodal; and

provide an indication to an operator of said detector, wherein;

if said plot is bimodal, said indication indicates the detection of a suspected concealed object.

18. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 17, wherein if said plot is unimodal, said indication indicates the absence of a concealed object.

19. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 17, wherein said processor is configured to:

define first, second, and third thresholds;

said first threshold corresponding to an intensity level which is above a background intensity level,

said second threshold corresponding to an intensity level which is below an intensity level received from an exposed area on said person, and

said third threshold corresponding to an intensity level which is a less than said second threshold and greater than said first threshold and is considered to be above an intensity level received from an area on said person where a said concealed object is suspected; and

identify a relationship between said plot and said first, second, and third thresholds, wherein;

if during said scanning said plot rises above said first threshold and said second threshold, subsequently drops below said third threshold, subsequently rises above said second threshold, and finally drops below said first threshold, identify said plot as bimodal.

20. A passive millimeter wave detector according to claim 11, and also comprising at least one directional light source configured, during operation of said antenna, to project visible light indicating an area in said region of interest from which millimeter wave radiation is currently being received by said antenna.