Resolution Radar Using Metamaterials

• US 20110187577A1
• Filed: 04/14/2011
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Gawronski, Michael J., Geddes, John J., Fuller, Christopher, Lamberg, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,587,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/414 Discriminating targets with respect to background clutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0086 said selective devices having materials with a synthesized negative refractive index, e.g. metamaterials or left-handed materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/10 comprising three-dimensional array of impedance discontinuities, e.g. holes in conductive surfaces or conductive discs forming artificial dielectric

Abstract

A radar system includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The radar system further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.

Claims

1. A device for penetrating a material of a target, the device comprising:

a transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a lens, the array configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave;

a stimulator configured to stimulate the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength illumination; and

a control component configured to control a focal point of the lens.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the material is metal.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the control component configured to control a focal point of the lens is further configured to use a time delay to control the focal point of the lens.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the stimulator is selected from the group consisting of a near-field probe, port, an antenna, or a combination thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control component is selected from the group consisting of tunable resonant components and tunable resonant sub-circuits.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of less than about 1 hertz (Hz) to about 1 MHz.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lens is a first lens, the device in combination with:

a receive array configured to receive a return wave reflected from the target, the receive array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and

a near-field sensing component in operative communication with the receive array.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the control component is a first control component, the combination further comprising:

a second control component configured to control a focal point of the second lens.

9. A device for penetrating a material of a target, the device comprising:

means for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, the means for transmitting comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a lens;

means for stimulating the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength illumination; and

means for controlling a focal point of the lens.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the material is metal.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for controlling comprises means for controlling a time delay to control the focal point of the lens.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of less than about 1 hertz (Hz) to about 1 MHz.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the lens is a first lens, the device in combination with:

means for receiving a return wave reflected from the target, the means for receiving comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and

means for sensing a near-field in operative communication with the receive array.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the means for controlling is a first means for controlling, the combination further comprising:

a second means for controlling a focal point of the second lens.

15. A system for penetrating a material of a target, the system comprising:

a transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a first lens, the array configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave;

a stimulator configured to stimulate the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength illumination;

a first control component configured to control a focal point of the first lens;

a receive array configured to receive a return wave reflected from the target, the receive array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and

a near-field sensing component in operative communication with the receive array.