Showing papers by "Norman S. Kopeika published in 2014"

Calibration Method for MMW Imaging Using Inexpensive Miniature Neon Indicator Lamp Detectors

Abstract: We have developed focal plan array (FPA) imagers based on very inexpensive miniature neon indicator lamp detectors called glow discharged detectors (GDDs). The novelty of this paper is a technique of calibration, which permits reliable imaging with such an inexpensive FPA. GDDs are commercial lamps, which lack uniformity as detectors. The technique developed in this paper cancels out differences in response between the FPA lamps caused by both nonuniformity of the MMW collimated beam, and nonuniformity of the GDDs and other components in the electronic circuit. Utilizing this method in the new imaging system unifies detector response. Results, shown with two types of sensor configurations (8 × 8 and 18 × 2 scanner array), indeed show better performances and improvement in visibility of details.

Aerosol MTF revisited

Abstract: Different views of the significance of aerosol MTF have been reported. For example, one recent paper [OE, 52(4)/2013, pp. 046201] claims that the aerosol MTF "contrast reduction is approximately independent of spatial frequency, and image blur is practically negligible". On the other hand, another recent paper [JOSA A, 11/2013, pp. 2244-2252] claims that aerosols "can have a non-negligible effect on the atmospheric point spread function". We present clear experimental evidence of common significant aerosol blur and evidence that aerosol contrast reduction can be extremely significant. In the IR, it is more appropriate to refer to such phenomena as aerosol-absorption MTF. The role of imaging system instrumentation on such MTF is addressed too.

Polarization effects on heterodyne detection and imaging using Glow Discharge Detector at millimeter wavelengths

Abstract: A miniature neon indicator lamp, also known as a Glow Discharge Detector (GDD), costing about 50 cents, was found to be an excellent room temperature THz radiation detector. Polarization effects on heterodyne detection were investigated in this work. In heterodyne detection, because of the dot product relationship between signal electric field (ES) and local oscillator (LO) electric field (Elo), optimal operation of heterodyne detection is obtained when ES and Elo are of the same polarization. Preliminary results at 300 GHz showed better sensitivity by a factor of 20 with only 56 microwatt local oscillator power using heterodyne compared to direct detection. Further improvement of the detection sensitivity can be achieved if the LO power (Plo) is increased. In this work investigation of polarization effects in heterodyne detection using neon indicator lamp GDD was carried-out. Experimental results of heterodyne detection at 300 GHz showed that an intermediate frequency (IF) signal was obtained for orthogonal polarization of the LO and signal, in contradiction to the theory. Also, our latest imaging results using Glow Discharge Detector at millimeter wavelengths will be shown in this work.

Capability of long distance 100 GHz FMCW using a single GDD lamp sensor

Abstract: Millimeter wave (MMW)-based imaging systems are required for applications in medicine, homeland security, concealed weapon detection, and space technology. The lack of inexpensive room temperature imaging sensors makes it difficult to provide a suitable MMW system for many of the above applications. A 3D MMW imaging system based on chirp radar was studied previously using a scanning imaging system of a single detector. The radar system requires that the millimeter wave detector will be able to operate as a heterodyne detector. Since the source of radiation is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW), the detected signal as a result of heterodyne detection gives the object’s depth information according to value of difference frequency, in addition to the reflectance of the 2D image. New experiments show the capability of long distance FMCW detection by using a large scale Cassegrain projection system, described first (to our knowledge) in this paper. The system presents the capability to employ a long distance of at least 20 m with a low-cost plasma-based glow discharge detector (GDD) focal plane array (FPA). Each point on the object corresponds to a point in the image and includes the distance information. This will enable relatively inexpensive 3D MMW imaging.

Real-time 3D millimeter wave imaging based FMCW using GGD focal plane array as detectors

Abstract: - Millimeter wave (MMW) imaging systems are required for applications in medicine, communications, homeland security, and space technology. This is because there is no known ionization hazard for biological tissue, and atmospheric attenuation in this range of the spectrum is relatively low. The lack of inexpensive room temperature imaging systems makes it difficult to give a suitable MMW system for many of the above applications. 3D MMW imaging system based on chirp radar was studied previously using a scanning imaging system of a single detector. The system presented here proposes to employ a chirp radar method with a Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) Focal Plane Array (FPA) of plasma based detectors. Each point on the object corresponds to a point in the image and includes the distance information. This will enable 3D MMW imaging. The radar system requires that the millimeter wave detector (GDD) will be able to operate as a heterodyne detector. Since the source of radiation is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW), the detected signal as a result of heterodyne detection gives the object's depth information according to value of difference frequency, in addition to the reflectance of the image. In this work we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of implementing an imaging system based on radar principles and FPA of GDD devices. This imaging system is shown to be capable of imaging objects from distances of at least 10 meters. I. INTRODUCTION The operation of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radars is based on homodyne principles, i.e., CW radar in which the oscillator serves as both the transmitter and local oscillator [1]. In the W-band or millimeter wave (MMW) band, unique MMW sources and detectors are required. In Fig. 1, the FMCW principle is described. The CW signal is modulated in frequency to produce a linear chirp which is radiated toward a target through an antenna. The echo from the target, received 6

Detection of hidden objects using a real-time 3-D millimeter-wave imaging system

Abstract: Millimeter (mm)and sub-mm wavelengths or terahertz (THz) band have several properties that motivate their use in imaging for security applications such as recognition of hidden objects, dangerous materials, aerosols, imaging through walls as in hostage situations, and also in bad weather conditions. There is no known ionization hazard for biological tissue, and atmospheric degradation of THz radiation is relatively low for practical imaging distances. We recently developed a new technology for the detection of THz radiation. This technology is based on very inexpensive plasma neon indicator lamps, also known as Glow Discharge Detector (GDD), that can be used as very sensitive THz radiation detectors. Using them, we designed and constructed a Focal Plane Array (FPA) and obtained recognizable2-dimensional THz images of both dielectric and metallic objects. Using THz wave it is shown here that even concealed weapons made of dielectric material can be detected. An example is an image of a knife concealed inside a leather bag and also under heavy clothing. Three-dimensional imaging using radar methods can enhance those images since it can allow the isolation of the concealed objects from the body and environmental clutter such as nearby furniture or other people. The GDDs enable direct heterodyning between the electric field of the target signal and the reference signal eliminating the requirement for expensive mixers, sources, and Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs).We expanded the ability of the FPA so that we are able to obtain recognizable 2-dimensional THz images in real time. We show here that the THz detection of objects in three dimensions, using FMCW principles is also applicable in real time. This imaging system is also shown here to be capable of imaging objects from distances allowing standoff detection of suspicious objects and humans from large distances.

Large distance 3D imaging of hidden objects

Abstract: Imaging systems in millimeter waves are required for applications in medicine, communications, homeland security, and space technology. This is because there is no known ionization hazard for biological tissue, and atmospheric attenuation in this range of the spectrum is low compared to that of infrared and optical rays. The lack of an inexpensive room temperature detector makes it difficult to give a suitable real time implement for the above applications. A 3D MMW imaging system based on chirp radar was studied previously using a scanning imaging system of a single detector. The system presented here proposes to employ a chirp radar method with Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) Focal Plane Array (FPA of plasma based detectors) using heterodyne detection. The intensity at each pixel in the GDD FPA yields the usual 2D image. The value of the I-F frequency yields the range information at each pixel. This will enable 3D MMW imaging. In this work we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of implementing an imaging system based on radar principles and FPA of inexpensive detectors. This imaging system is shown to be capable of imaging objects from distances of at least 10 meters.

Fourier imaging and distance approximation using time of flight method for terahertz wave imaging

Abstract: An active terahertz wave imaging method is investigated for improved system simplicity, inexpensive implementation, and distance approximation. The proposed technique is composed of a single-pixel setup that allows acquiring the two-dimensional (2-D) Fourier transform intensity map of the imaged object and additional depth data using time of flight method. A raster scan is performed to achieve the object's 2-D Fourier transform intensity and depth information. Iterative phase retrieval methods are employed to accomplish good image reconstruction using only the measured object's Fourier transform magnitude. The proposed method uses a glow discharge detector (GDD) as its single millimeter wave pixel and offers a simple noncalibrating scheme for 2-D imaging and distance approximation. This work shows experimental results of using the GDD as a dis- tance approximation detector and specifies the advantages, disadvantages, and constraints when using such a sensor. Basic aperture imaging (transmission imaging) experimental results are also shown, and complex aper- ture imaging simulations and their corresponding reconstructions are presented. Finally, both 2-D imaging and acquired depth data are fused into a single three-dimensional reconstructed image to reveal the potential of the

Real time three-dimensional space video rate sensors for millimeter waves imaging based very inexpensive plasma LED lamps

Abstract: In recent years, much effort has been invested to develop inexpensive but sensitive Millimeter Wave (MMW) detectors that can be used in focal plane arrays (FPAs), in order to implement real time MMW imaging. Real time MMW imaging systems are required for many varied applications in many fields as homeland security, medicine, communications, military products and space technology. It is mainly because this radiation has high penetration and good navigability through dust storm, fog, heavy rain, dielectric materials, biological tissue, and diverse materials. Moreover, the atmospheric attenuation in this range of the spectrum is relatively low and the scattering is also low compared to NIR and VIS. The lack of inexpensive room temperature imaging systems makes it difficult to provide a suitable MMW system for many of the above applications. In last few years we advanced in research and development of sensors using very inexpensive (30-50 cents) Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) plasma indicator lamps as MMW detectors. This paper presents three kinds of GDD sensor based lamp Focal Plane Arrays (FPA). Those three kinds of cameras are different in the number of detectors, scanning operation, and detection method. The 1st and 2nd generations are 8 × 8 pixel array and an 18 × 2 mono-rail scanner array respectively, both of them for direct detection and limited to fixed imaging. The last designed sensor is a multiplexing frame rate of 16x16 GDD FPA. It permits real time video rate imaging of 30 frames/ sec and comprehensive 3D MMW imaging. The principle of detection in this sensor is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) system while each of the 16 GDD pixel lines is sampled simultaneously. Direct detection is also possible and can be done with a friendly user interface. This FPA sensor is built over 256 commercial GDD lamps with 3 mm diameter International Light, Inc., Peabody, MA model 527 Ne indicator lamps as pixel detectors. All three sensors are fully supported by software Graphical Unit Interface (GUI). They were tested and characterized through different kinds of optical systems for imaging applications, super resolution, and calibration methods. Capability of the 16x16 sensor is to employ a chirp radar like method to produced depth and reflectance information in the image. This enables 3-D MMW imaging in real time with video frame rate. In this work we demonstrate different kinds of optical imaging systems. Those systems have capability of 3-D imaging for short range and longer distances to at least 10-20 meters.