Resolution radar using metamaterials
View Patent ↗A radar system includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The radar system further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.
1. A device for penetrating a material of a target, the device comprising:
a transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a lens, the array configured to transmit a radar range frequency electromagnetic wave;
a stimulator configured to stimulate the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength sized illumination; and
a control component configured to control a focal point of the lens.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the material is metal.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control component configured to control a focal point of the lens is further configured to use a time delay to control the focal point of the lens.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stimulator is selected from the group consisting of a near-field probe, port, an antenna, or a combination thereof.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control component is selected from the group consisting of tunable resonant components and tunable resonant sub-circuits.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of less than about 1 hertz (Hz) to about 1 MHz.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a first lens, the device in combination with:
a receive array configured to receive a return wave reflected from the target, the receive array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and
a near-field sensing component in operative communication with the receive array.
8. The combination of claim 7 , wherein the control component is a first control component, the combination further comprising:
a second control component configured to control a focal point of the second lens.
9. A device for penetrating a material of a target, the device comprising:
means for transmitting a radar range frequency electromagnetic wave, the means for transmitting comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a lens;
means for stimulating the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength sized illumination; and
means for controlling a focal point of the lens.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the material is metal.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the means for controlling comprises means for controlling a time delay to control the focal point of the lens.
12. The device of claim 9 , wherein the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of less than about 1 hertz (Hz) to about 1 MHz.
13. The device of claim 9 , wherein the lens is a first lens, the device in combination with:
means for receiving a return wave reflected from the target, the means for receiving comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and
means for sensing a near-field in operative communication with the receive array.
14. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the means for controlling is a first means for controlling, the combination further comprising:
a second means for controlling a focal point of the second lens.
15. A system for penetrating a material of a target, the system comprising:
a transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a first lens, the array configured to transmit a radar range frequency electromagnetic wave;
a stimulator configured to stimulate the metamaterial elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength sized illumination;
a first control component configured to control a focal point of the first lens;
a receive array configured to receive a return wave reflected from the target, the receive array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements forming a second lens; and
a near-field sensing component in operative communication with the receive array.
16. A device for penetrating a material of a target, the device comprising:
a transmit array comprising a plurality of sub-wavelength sized resonator elements forming a lens, the array configured to transmit a radar range frequency electromagnetic wave;
a stimulator configured to stimulate the sub-wavelength sized resonator elements in order to produce the electromagnetic wave that illuminates the target with sub-wavelength sized illumination; and
a control component configured to control a focal point of the lens.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the sub-wavelength sized resonator elements comprise high permeability and high permittivity materials.
18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the sub-wavelength sized resonator elements are situated in a substrate comprised of high permeability and high permittivity materials.