Low-cost three-dimensional millimeter-wave holographic imaging system based on a frequency-scanning antenna

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics and Imaging
• Signal Processing
• Microwave Engineering

Background:

• Millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging systems are commercially implemented for real-time applications.
• Existing frequency scanning systems often lack detailed reconstruction methods or rely on raw data.
• Hybrid scanning approaches offer potential for improved imaging performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a closed-form 2D reconstruction technique for hybrid frequency and mechanical scanning MMW imaging.
• To develop a novel framework for 3D MMW reconstruction using multi-frequency data.
• To present a low-cost MMW imaging system with enhanced performance.

Main Methods:

• Development of closed-form reconstruction formulations for 2D and 3D imaging.
• Implementation of a hybrid frequency and mechanical scanning strategy.
• Validation through numerical simulations, including noise analysis.

Main Results:

• The proposed technique yields a low-cost MMW imaging system with satisfying performance.
• Simulations show comparable image quality to switched-array (SA) and phased-array (PA) systems.
• The system demonstrates robustness against additive noise, comparable to PA systems.
• Achieved a depth resolution better than 10 cm with minimal lateral resolution degradation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed closed-form reconstruction method enables effective 3D MMW imaging.
• The hybrid scanning approach combined with the new technique provides a cost-effective solution.
• The system exhibits good image quality, noise robustness, and resolution performance.