Millimeter wave imaging system evaluation 2

[hardenm]

I am working with a scientist who has developed a millimeter wave imaging system, but this is way over my head and I am looking for someone who can look at it and tell me if this is actually feasible. If someone with a strong MMV background can take a look at it for me, I would be very appreciative.

 

[IRstuff]

MMW imaging, per se, has been done for nearly 20 yrs, starting with synthetic aperture radar.

TTFN

 

[hardenm]

But the scientist claims to have created several new algorithms that have enhanced the ability create images and to penetrate clothing, etc to identify hidden weapons under clothes. He has filed numerous patents (international and US). I am trying to figure out if what he has is any kind of breakthrough that would allow for commercialization of this product (imagine the homeland security aspects). Need someone who is very familiar with this space to look at the documentation and tell me if he is onto something or is blowing smoke. I do not want to waste my time with something that isn't feasible.

 

[logbook]

If you post some of the US patent numbers we can look them up on the patent office website (if they are actually published)

 

[biff44]

Why don't you post over on this board, so you can be contacted:

http://www.edaboard.com/forum63.html

 

[IRstuff]

Weapons detection using MMW has been reported in the literature. Not sure of the timeframe, but was probably in the last two years.

If he just filed, it'll be at least a year before there's a patent number.

The algorithms are key, but whether this guy's algorithms are better than others would be unclear from the patent. It would require a side-by-side comparison against another comers to properly evaluate.



TTFN

 

[Higgler]

I did a search of the IEEE, alot of action in this arena. I found 14 papers on the subject, here is a title and abstract from one of them. Earliest work is 1992 and 1996, but alot more activity starting in 2001.

Here is one;
Three-dimensional millimeter-wave imaging for concealed weapon detection
Sheen, D.M.; McMakin, D.L.; Hall, T.E.;
Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on
Volume 49, Issue 9, Sept. 2001 Page(s):1581 - 1592
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/22.942570

Summary: Millimeter-wave imaging techniques and systems have been developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, for the detection of concealed weapons and contraband at airports and other secure locations. These techniques were .....

 

[IRstuff]

STINET is also a source for technical publications:

http://stinet.dtic.mil/str/advanced-tr.html

TTFN

 

[Higgler]

Stinet had 5 references when searching "millimeter wave imaging and weapon"

Trex Enterprises of San Diego has a 1 Meg file on the subject and this abstract;

Abstract (partial):
The passive millimeter-wave camera (PMC) is a second generation millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging system delivered to the National Institute of Justice for evaluation as a concealed weapons detection system. The PMC uses an unusual pupil-plane architecture as opposed to the focal plane architecture common in other MMW systems.........

I'd suggest looking up the Trex company and maybe call them. There's alot of expensive hardware in a mmwave imager. If this "expert" with patents isn't a hardware guy, I'd be very wary. If he's built, tested and delivered alot of complicated hardware then it's more likely he can make a product. I know alot of guys from my former company who can build on paper only.

kch
PS: thanks IRstuff.

 

[hardenm]

Thanks to all of you for the information. I will definitely check it out.

Mike

 

[Reveal]

My company is in the security field and we are currently investigating mm wave imaging applications. We have done fairly extensive research and are familiar with many of the techniques. I would be pleased to take a look at the idea and let you know if it appears innovative and/or useful.