This paper describes a passive millimeter-wave image scanner that leverages technologies previously developed for a video-rate passive millimeter-wave camera (PMC) [1, 2]. The imager has a prime focus elliptical frequency scanned antenna operating in the 75-93 GHz millimeter-wave band, a low noise receiver and a vertical beam former that allows the instantaneous capture of 128 pixel (vertical) column images in 1/30th of a second, with 2-3 K sensitivity. Two dimensional images are created by mechanically rotating the antenna, which produces a 128x60 raster image in 2 seconds. By integrating (averaging) images over a longer time period, we have demonstrated a sub-degree temperature resolution. This sensor has proven itself as a low cost tool for studying the potential of W-band passive imaging for various applications.

Date Published: 19 May 2005
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 5781, Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security, (19 May 2005); doi: 10.1117/12.606661

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5781:
Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security
Theodore T. Saito, Editor(s)