Researcher(s)
- Furdeen Hasan, Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
- Gregg Marella, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Vishal Saxena, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Millimeter wave (mmWave) imaging is a powerful technology that operates at frequencies between 30-300 GHz, allowing for the capture of high-resolution images through clothing or packaging. It is essential to various fields ranging from airport security to medical diagnostics however, current devices for generating mmWave images are expensive, immobile, and can be time-consuming. Our goal was to create a mobile, passive mmWave imager, capable of producing high-quality, efficient scans while keeping costs to a minimum. Utilizing a Farran Radiometer to capture mmWave frequency signals in the W-band of the electromagnetic spectrum between 75-110 GHz, a Raspberry Pi 5 single board computer (SBC), and three axis of linear movement, we were able to achieve versatile and powerful control over the imaging process. Our scanning pattern consisted of a continuous, back-and-forth, square-plane motion to capture data points of varying intensities, corresponding to differences in temperature between an object and its surroundings. We converted the analog output from the Farran Radiometer to a digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to create discrete data point values corresponding to real-time positions in the scanning plane. The collected data was processed using Python libraries, including NumPy for numerical computations, SciPy for data smoothing, and Seaborn for data visualization. With this procedure, we created a detailed image of both active and passive mmWave frequency signals, indoors and outdoors. Our fast and continuous scanning approach makes our mmWave imager proprietary, at a low cost compared to other devices on the market, allowing for a wider range of applications. Looking to the future, we will continue to advance our mmWave imager’s precise scanning technique and further increase its portability while maintaining the cost-effective and easily accessible aspects of the device.