Imaging apparatus and method

• US 7,982,656 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Inventors: Salmon, Neil A, Coward, Peter R
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo; Ian J
• Application Number:
  US10/592,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,303 Days
• Field of Search: 342/22, 342/179, 342/27
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/411 Identification of targets based on measurements of radar reflectivity G01S7/415 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation

Abstract

A millimeter wave imaging apparatus and method capable of identifying the presence of relatively thin dielectric materials is disclosed. The method involves taking a plurality of millimeter wave images of a scene at different frequencies and analyzing the images at different frequencies to look for frequency dependent effects in the scene. Relatively thin dielectric materials can lead to interference effects which can be detected. In one embodiment the imaging apparatus comprises a millimeter wave imager (2) connected to a processor (16) and at least one variable frequency illumination source (22a . . . d, 24a . . . d). The or each illumination source sweeps the illumination frequency across a reasonably wide bandwidth and the imager captures radiation returned from the scene at a number of different illuminating frequencies.

Claims

1. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus comprising:

at least one detector arranged to produce a plurality of images of a scene;

a frequency selector providing a plurality of different predominant frequencies of radiation for detection wherein each of said plurality of images corresponds to said different predominant frequency;

an image processor for processing the plurality of images by detecting changes in intensity occurring in corresponding objects across the plurality of images;

an indicator for indicating the presence of any frequency dependent changes in intensity detected by said image processor, and

means for normalizing at least one of an output of the detector and an associated illuminator at each of the plurality of different frequencies.

2. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one illumination source having a variable output frequency wherein the frequency selector periodically varies the output of the or each illumination source.

3. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising a plurality of illumination sources, the frequency selector being arranged such that each illumination source emits the same frequency at the same time.

4. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each illumination source is adapted such that it produces the same intensity at each illumination frequency within the operating band.

5. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each illumination source has an instantaneous bandwidth of approximately 2 Ghz or less.

6. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each illumination source has an output frequency which varies by 5 GHz or more or 10 GHz or more.

7. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each illumination source comprises a variable frequency rf noise generator housed in a hollow, reflective panel having a plurality of apertures therein.

8. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detector comprises a detector array and the normalization means applies a frequency dependent correction to the output of each detector element in the imaging detector array.

9. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the normalization means comprises a processor adapted to process the output of the detector to apply the frequency dependent correction.

10. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises an image processor for analysing the detector output at different frequencies so as to detect any frequency dependent variations therein.

11. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a display arranged to display an image derived from the outputs of the detector.

12. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frequency selector comprises at least one filter acting on the detector.

13. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the filter is a variable filter and the frequency selector controls the passband of the filter.

14. A millimeter wave imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the frequency selector comprises a plurality of different filter elements arranged in parallel such that a plurality of different frequencies are detected simultaneously.

15. A method of screening an object for a concealed item comprising the steps of:

arranging a millimeter wave imaging detector relative to an object to be screened so as to be able to form a plurality of images of at least part of the object on said detector, wherein each of said images corresponds to a different predominant frequency and produces an output;

determining a detector calibration factor at each of said different predominant frequencies;

applying said calibration factor to said detector outputs at respective different predominant frequencies so as to normalize said detector outputs;

detecting changes in intensity occurring in the object across said plurality of images; and

analysing the images for any frequency dependent variation from the object.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of calibrating the outputs of the detector to account for any frequency dependent response of the imaging apparatus.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of successively illuminating the object with millimeter wave radiation at a plurality of different frequencies and the output from the detector is recorded at each illuminating frequency.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of illuminating the object comprises illuminating the object with a succession of different frequencies at the same intensity.

19. A method as of claim 15 wherein the step of analysing the outputs of the detector recorded at different frequencies includes the step of displaying an image derived from the outputs to an operator.

20. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of analysing the outputs of the detector recorded at different frequencies includes the step of automatically processing the outputs to detect any frequency dependent variation and triggering an alarm when a frequency dependent variation is identified.

21. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the method includes the step of filtering the detector.

22. A method of screening an object for a concealed item comprising the steps of:

arranging a millimeter wave imaging detector array relative to an object to be screened so as to be able to form a plurality of images of at least part of the object;

successively illuminating the object with millimeter wave radiation from an illuminator at a plurality of different frequencies;

recording the output images from the detector array at each frequency;

analyzing the outputs of the detector array for any frequency dependent variation in the scene,

normalizing one of an output of the detector and the illuminator at each of the plurality of different frequencies; and

indicating the presence of any frequency dependent changes in intensity detected.