Millimeter-wave active imaging system with modular array
Active millimeter-wave imaging systems can include an antenna apparatus configured to transmit toward and receive from a subject in a subject position, electromagnetic radiation. A controller can include a transceiver configured to operate the antenna apparatus and produce an output representative of the received radiation, and a processor adapted to convert the transceiver output into image data representative of an image of the subject. The antenna apparatus may move in a partial or continuous loop around the subject, toward or away from the subject, or in an opposite direction to an associated antenna apparatus. Antenna units in the antenna apparatus may be oriented at different angular positions along an array. Antenna arrays may also be formed of a plurality of array segments, and a group of arrays may be combined to form an antenna apparatus.
1. An imaging system comprising:
an array frame;
a plurality of antenna array segments adapted to be mounted to the array frame, each array segment including a segment frame, a plurality of antenna units mounted relative to the segment frame and configured to transmit toward and receive from a subject in a subject position, electromagnetic radiation in a frequency range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz, from antenna positions spaced from the subject position, the array segments being oriented at different angles relative to each other and adapted to be mounted to the array frame with the antenna units from the array segments collectively forming an antenna array;
a transceiver configured to operate the antenna array and produce an output representative of the received radiation; and
a processor adapted to convert the transceiver output into image data representative of an image of the subject.
2. A system according to claim 1 , in which the antenna array extends along an arc.
3. A system according to claim 2 , in which the plurality of antenna units in each antenna array segment extend rectilinearly along the segment frame relative to which they are mounted.
4. A method of imaging comprising:
transmitting toward a subject in a subject position, electromagnetic radiation in a frequency range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz, from a plurality of antenna array segments, each array segment including a plurality of antenna units, with the antenna units from the array segments collectively forming an antenna array, with the antenna array segments being oriented at different angles relative to each other along the array;
receiving at each of the plurality of antenna array segments electromagnetic radiation reflected from the subject;
producing a segment output representative of the radiation received at each array segment; and
converting the segment output into image data representative of an image of the subject.
5. A method according to claim 4 , in which transmitting radiation includes transmitting radiation from antenna array segments extending along an arc.
6. A method according to claim 5 , in which transmitting radiation includes transmitting radiation from antenna units extending rectilinearly in each antenna array segment.
7. A system of imaging comprising:
means for transmitting toward a subject in a subject position, electromagnetic radiation in a frequency range of about 200 MHz to about 1 THz, from a plurality of antenna array segments, each array segment including a plurality of antenna units, with the antenna units from the array segments collectively forming an antenna array, with the antenna array segments oriented at different angles relative to each other along the array;
means for receiving at each of the plurality of antenna array segments electromagnetic radiation reflected from the subject;
means for producing a segment output representative of the radiation received at each array segment; and
means for converting the segment output into image data representative of an image of the subject.