This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9993 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

Within the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), CONSORTIS (Concealed Object Stand-Off Real-Time Imaging for Security) has designed and is fabricating a stand-off system operating at sub-millimetre wave frequencies for the detection of objects concealed on people. This system scans people as they walk by the sensor.

This paper presents the top level system design which brings together both passive and active sensors to provide good performance. The passive system operates in two bands between 100 and 600GHz and is based on a cryogen free cooled focal plane array sensor whilst the active system is a solid-state 340GHz radar.

A modified version of OpenFX was used for modelling the passive system. This model was recently modified to include realistic location-specific skin temperature and to accept animated characters wearing up to three layers of clothing that move dynamically, such as those typically found in cinematography. Targets under clothing have been modelled and the performance simulated. The strengths and weaknesses of this modelling approach are discussed.

This paper focuses on the feasibility of tracking micro-motion with coherent Ultra-Wide Band Pulsed Radar. The proposed micro-motion detection principle consists in measuring the phase difference of the Ultra-Wide Band carrier waveform between the transmitted and the received pulse signals. Those signals are acquired directly on the working frequency band, with equivalent time sampling techniques. An experiment based on a double staged equivalent time sampling is set to emulate real-time acquisition with an oscilloscope. This experiment shows clear high precision ranging capabilities by revealing a millimeter order woofer displacement equal to λ⁄10. This reveals a great potential in phase tracking and confirms the choice to go further on the development of a real time radar. This platform provides refreshing rates of 2 ms, required to developed effective phase detection algorithms for micro-motion detection and tracking of human targets, especially for through-the-wall radar applications when humans remain in static position.

A THz active scanned imaging system is developed for detection of concealed threat objects at a stand-off distance of 5 meters. Single pixel, active imaging system utilizes a continuous wave transceiver unit operating at 340 GHz, based on RF components and Schottky diode rectifiers. The transceiver has a heterodyne detection geometry and has 7 mW total power output which is derived from a 3dB directional coupler (25 dB directivity) and a horn antenna. 2D opto-mechanical scanning is performed using two mirror coupled galvanometer scanners to scan 50x50 cm2 field of view at 5 meters stand-off distance. 2 cm resolution is achieved on the target plane. Based on the opto-mechanical scan speed, frame rate is 2 Hz. 340 GHz provides penetration to common barrier objects such as clothing for detection of concealed threats. Here we present imaging capability of the system and its penetration abilities. Effect of barrier objects to the dynamic range is also investigated. To provide real time screening of the target scene for potential threat objects, its visual image is combined with the acquired THz image of the field of view by using image fusion technique.

We discuss a correlation function using for developing of new algorithm that allows us to detect a hidden object without analyzing of image captured by the passive THz camera. Main idea of this approach concludes in correlation calculating between the image characteristics and corresponding characteristics of standard image. Obviously, a difference in temperature between a person body and object hidden under clothes takes place always. However, this difference can be invisible for human eyes. Using the correlation function we can increase a contrast between two objects and this allows to see an object or to produce alarm by computer. We discuss a choice of standard image characteristics for an achievement of correlation function for high contrast. Other feature of our approach arises from a possibility of a person image coming to the THz camera by using a computer processing of the image only. It means that we can “decrease” a distance between a person and the passive THz camera. This algorithm is very convenient for using and has a high performance.

Active imaging systems for security screening at the airport or other checkpoints have proven to offer good results. Present systems require a specific position and posture,¹³ or a specific movement² of the passenger in front of the imaging system. Walk Through Systems (WTS) which screen the passenger while passing the imaging system or a screening hallway would be more pleasant for the passenger and would result in a great improvement in the throughput. Furthermore the detection performance could be enhanced since possible threats are visible from different perspectives and could be tracked within different frames. The combination of all frames is equivalent to a full illumination of the passenger. This paper presents the concept of a WTS basing on a multistatic imaging system in the mmW range. The benefit is that the technology of existing portals can we reused and updated to a WTS. First results are demonstrated with an experimental system.

In this paper, we present a millimeter wave radar system which will enhance the performance of infrared cameras used for fire-fighting applications. The radar module is compact and lightweight such that the system can be combined with inertial sensors and integrated in a hand-held infrared camera. This allows for precise distance measurements in harsh environmental conditions, such as tunnel or industrial fires, where optical sensors are unreliable or fail. We discuss the design of the RF front-end, the antenna and a quasi-optical lens for beam shaping as well as signal processing and demonstrate the performance of the system by in situ measurements in a smoke filled environment.

In this paper we present two system approaches for perimeter surveillance with radar techniques focused on the detection of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs). The main task of such radars is to detect movements of targets such as an individual or a vehicle approaching a facility. The systems typically cover a range of several hundred meters up to several kilometers. In particular, the capability of identifying Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), which pose a growing threat on critical infrastructure areas, is of great importance nowadays. The low costs, the ease of handling and a considerable payload make them an excellent tool for unwanted surveillance or attacks. Most platforms can be equipped with all kind of sensors or, in the worst case, with destructive devices. A typical MAV is able to take off and land vertically, to hover, and in many cases to fly forward at high speed. Thus, it can reach all kinds of places in short time while the concealed operator of the MAV resides at a remote and riskless place.

In this work we describe and demonstrate a method for up-conversion of millimeter wave (MMW) radiation to the visual band using a very inexpensive miniature Glow Discharge Detector (GDD), and a silicon detector (photodetector). Here we present 100 GHz up-conversion images based on measuring the visual light emitting from the GDD rather than its electrical current. The results showed better response time of 480 ns and better sensitivity compared to the electronic detection that was performed in our previous work. In this work we performed MMW imaging based on this method using a GDD lamp, and a photodetector to measure GDD light emission.

Millimeter-wave and terahertz continuous-wave radar systems have been used to measure physiological signatures for biometric applications and for a variety of non-destructive evaluation applications, such as the detection of defects in materials. Sensing strategies for the simplest homodyne systems, such as a Michelson Interferometer, can be enhanced by using Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) techniques. This allows multiple objects or surfaces to be range resolved while monitoring the phase of the signal in a particular range bin. We will discuss the latest developments in several studies aimed at demonstrating how FMCW techniques can enhance mmW/THz sensing applications.

This paper presents the theory and algorithm of how a three-dimensional (3D) image can be generated using crosscorrelations of radiometric emission from a source measured using antennas in the near field. An example of how the algorithm is used to create 3D images of emission measured from a noise source is presented, indicating the presence of Fresnel noise and aliasing in the experimental data when the source is moved away from the phase centre. Simulations are presented which reproduce the Fresnel noise as generated by a 3x3x3 array of point sources located at the centre of a 2 metre diameter array of antennas representing a security screening portal. Two methods of reducing the Fresnel noise are presented: 1) a software method which makes successive more accurate estimates of the locations and intensities of sources; 2) a hardware method which reduces the coherence length of the radiation by increasing the radiation bandwidth.

A system for the detection of spectral signatures of chemical compounds at the Terahertz regime is presented. The system consists on a holey metal film whereby the presence of a given substance provokes the appearance of spectral features in transmission and reflection induced by the molecular specimen. These induced effects can be regarded as an extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon called absorption-induced transparency (AIT). The phenomenon consist precisely in the appearance of peaks in transmission and dips in reflection after sputtering of a chemical compound onto an initially opaque holey metal film. The spectral signatures due to AIT occur unexpectedly close to the absorption energies of the molecules. The presence of a target, a chemical compound, would be thus revealed as a strong drop in reflectivity measurements. We theoretically predict the AIT based system would serve to detect amounts of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) at low rate concentrations.

The shock plasma waves in Si MOS, InGaAs and GaN HEMTs are launched at a relatively small THz power that is nearly independent of the THz input frequency for short channel (22 nm) devices and increases with frequency for longer (100 nm to 1 mm devices). Increasing the gate-to-channel separation leads to a gradual transition of the nonlinear waves from the shock waves to solitons. The mathematics of this transition is described by the Korteweg-de Vries equation that has the single propagating soliton solution.

Plasma, used as a terahertz (THz) detection medium has promising features. Several studies for mm-wave/THz radiation detection using various kind of methods for plasma creation such as neon indicator lamps [1], gas cells [2] and laser-induced air plasma [3] have been conducted. The interaction between the plasma and various frequency EM waves are still being investigated and in the mm-wave/terahertz range the interaction mechanism is still not well understood. In this study a home-built gas chamber with variable electrode separation is studied using a continuous wave mm-wave/THz measurement systems. A breakdown is induced in gas mixture by applying a bias DC voltage to the electrodes and under sufficient conditions the modulated incident radiation can generate variations in the plasma current which can be measured electronically. The main mechanism of detection is the addition of the electric field of the incident EM radiation to the DC bias field, increasing the total electric field thus excitation collisions. Therefore the EM field is expected to effect the rate of ionization and excitation collisions at most at the regions with maximum total electron energy that is around the cathode dark space [4]. Depending on the orientation of its polarization, the incident EM radiation can also diffuse the signal electrons to the walls of the chamber giving rise to a negative change in bias current, decreasing the signal. Therefore the internal signal gain depends on the electrode geometry and polarization of radiation besides other parameters of the plasma. Several parameters, such as gas pressure, gas species, discharge current, electrode spacing and electrode geometry effect the plasma-THz interaction thus changing the responsivity of the device. The plasma – THz interaction is studied here using a VDI multiplied source (WR2.8AMC). Driven by a frequency tunable Yttrium Iron Garnett (YIG) oscillator the source was modulated electronically providing a frequency tunable output in the 82-125 GHz and 246-375 GHz frequency range by use of a passive tripler. For the gas chamber different gases and gas mixtures are used. Using a Penning mixture, which is a mixture of one type of another gas with miniscule amount of another gas which has a lower ionization voltage than the main gas, a breakdown voltage lower than that of both gases can be obtained. Measurement of changes in the plasma current are carried out for different incident radiation frequencies, different electrode geometries, various gas mixtures and different modulation frequencies.

The need to detect non-metallic items under clothes to prevent terrorism at transport hubs is becoming vital. Millimetre wave technology is able to penetrate clothing, yet able to interact with objects concealed underneath.

This paper considers active illumination using multiple transmitter and receiver antennas. The positioning of these antennas must achieve full body coverage, whilst minimising the number of antenna elements and the number of required measurements. It sets out a rapid simulation methodology, based on the Kirchhoff equations, to explore different scenarios for scanner architecture optimisation.

The paper assumes that the electromagnetic waves used are at lower frequencies (say, 10-30 GHz) where the body temperature does not need to be considered. This range allows better penetration of clothing than higher frequencies, yet still provides adequate resolution.

Since passengers vary greatly in shape and size, the system needs to be able to work well with a range of body morphologies. Thus we have used two very differently shaped avatars to test the portal simulations. This simulation tool allows many different avatars to be generated quickly.

Findings from these simulations indicated that the dimensions of the avatar did indeed have an effect on the pattern of illumination, and that the data for each antenna pair can easily be combined to compare different antenna geometries for a given portal architecture, resulting in useful insights into antenna placement. The data generated could be analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively, at various levels of scale.

The specially calculated and prepared antiradar surfaces on special ships is very good for detecting them by the microwave radiometers. It is interesting to evaluate the possibility of using a passive millimeter wave (PMMW) radiometric discriminator for the remote controlling and finding such objects at real distances and also for environmental monitoring.

In this paper, an advantage of sapphire shaped crystal use for highly efficient terahertz (THz) waveguiding is discussed. The THz photonic crystal waveguide has been manufactured using the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) or Stepanov technique of shaped crystal growth. The effective mode index and extinction coefficient of the waveguide have been experimentally studied using the THz pulsed spectroscopy. The observed results have shown that the multichannel sapphire crystal allows guiding the THz waves with minimal dispersion in frequency range of 1:0 to 1:55 THz and minimal loss of 2 dB/m at 1:45 THz. The waveguides based on sapphire shaped crystals can be employed in wide range of THz technology applications, including non-destructive evaluation of materials, medical diagnostics, and sensing in aggressive environment.

Polarimetric measurements can provide additional information as compared to unpolarized ones. In this paper, linear polarization ratio (LPR) is created to be a feature discriminator. The LPR properties of several materials are investigated using Fresnel theory. The theoretical results show that LPR is sensitive to the material type (metal or dielectric). Then a linear polarization ratio-based (LPR-based) method is presented to distinguish between metal and dielectric materials. In order to apply this method to practical applications, the optimal range of incident angle have been discussed. The typical outdoor experiments including various objects such as aluminum plate, grass, concrete, soil and wood, have been conducted to validate the presented classification method.

In this paper, we present a novel hardware-efficient direction of arrival (DOA) estimation method based on digital channelized receiver. The proposed method splits the wideband array output into multiple frequency sub-channels and estimates the signal parameters using digital channelization receiver. Based on the accurate signal parameters estimation, signals with different bandwidths are isolated reasonably. Different DOA estimation methods are used to signals with different bandwidths. The proposed channelization based method can improve the output signal noise ratio (SNR). It outperforms those conventional DOA estimation methods on estimation accuracy, especially in real environment. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the performance. The results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Electromagnetic model (em-model) provides a concise and physically relevant description of target through representative scatterers. In a forward built em-model, detailed information about each scatterer’s position, scattering amplitude along with its provenance can be predicted. This makes em-model a good candidate for use in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR). In this paper, we introduce scatterers’ provenance as attributed information into target recognition, and an attributed em-model based target recognition method is proposed. Firstly, according to the purpose of ATR, each scatterer in em-model is endowed with an importance factor based on its provenance. Secondly, a detection is implemented to decide whether the em-model predicted scatterer has a corresponding scatterer in measured data. If the scatterer exist in measured target, evaluate how similar the scatterer pair resembled with each other. Next, similarities of all the scatterer pairs are synthesized as a whole match score between em-model and SAR data. In the synthesis, the importance factor servers as a weighting factor that scatterer with more attention will be more discriminative for recognition. In the end, target in measured SAR data is recognized as the model type or not based on the match score. The novelty of this method comes from taking into account of the provenance information of scatterers as attributed information and endowing the scatterers with different important factors according to their importance in recognition. This makes the attributed scatterer based recognition method pertinent to the purpose of ATR. Experiments on simulated Tank SAR data that produced by a high frequency electromagnetic simulation software verified the effectiveness of this method.