Radar for imaging of buildings
According to one embodiment, a radar includes multiple antenna elements coupled to an image processing application. The antenna elements have a differing vertical spatial separation relative to one another and are configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal toward a stationary object and receive multiple reflected radio-frequency signals from one or more internal features of the building. The image processing application receives the reflected radio-frequency signals as the antenna elements are moved horizontally with respect to the stationary object. From these reflected radio-frequency signals, the image processing application generates imagery of the stationary object according to phase variations in the plurality of received radio-frequency signals. The imagery depicting vertical characteristics of the one or more internal features of the building.
1. A mobile synthetic aperture radar comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a two-dimensional array and configured in or on a truck, the plurality of antenna elements operable to transmit a transmitted radio-frequency signal toward a building and receive a plurality of reflected radio-frequency signals comprising energy from the transmitted radio-frequency signal that is reflected from one or more internal features of the building, the plurality of antenna elements operable to step the transmitted radio-frequency signal through a range of frequencies extending from 500 to 1225 Mega-Hertz, at least a portion of the reflected radio-frequency signals received with a vertical aperture that differs from one another; and
an image processing application coupled to the plurality of antenna elements and operable to:
receive the reflected radio-frequency signals from the plurality of antenna elements as they are moved horizontally with respect to the building; and
generate imagery of the building according to phase variations in the plurality of received radio-frequency signals relative to one another, the imagery depicting vertical characteristics of the one or more internal features comprising a ground floor and an upper floor of the building.
2. A mobile synthetic aperture radar comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements having a differing vertical spatial separation relative to one another, the plurality of antenna elements operable to transmit a transmitted radio-frequency signal toward a stationary object and receive a plurality of reflected radio-frequency signals comprising energy from the transmitted radio-frequency signal that is reflected from one or more internal features of the stationary object; and
an image processing application coupled to the plurality of antenna elements and operable to:
receive the reflected radio-frequency signals from the plurality of antenna elements as they are moved horizontally with respect to the stationary object; and
generate imagery of the stationary object according to phase variations in the plurality of received radio-frequency signals relative to one another, the imagery depicting vertical characteristics of the one or more internal features.
3. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprise a two-dimensional array of antenna elements.
4. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements are operable to step the transmitted radio-frequency signal through a range of frequencies.
5. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 4 , wherein the range of frequencies extends from 500 Mega-Hertz to 1225 Mega-Hertz.
6. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements are operable to repeatedly step the transmitted radio-frequency signals through the range of frequencies within every 6 inch movement of the plurality of antenna elements.
7. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the stationary object comprises a building and the one or more internal features comprises a ground floor and an upper floor of the building.
8. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements are configured on a portable platform.
9. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 8 , wherein the portable platform comprises a land-based vehicle.
10. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements are oriented in a fixed orientation relative to one another.
11. The mobile synthetic aperture radar of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements are operable to receive at least a portion of the reflected radio-frequency signals with a vertical aperture that differs from one another.
12. A method comprising:
providing a plurality of antenna elements that have a vertical spatial separation relative to one another;
moving the plurality of antenna elements horizontally with respect to a stationary object;
transmitting, using the plurality of antenna elements, a transmitted radio-frequency signal toward the stationary object;
receiving, using the plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of reflected radio-frequency signals comprising energy from the transmitted radio-frequency signal that is reflected from one or more internal features of the stationary object; and
generating imagery of the stationary object according to phase variations in the plurality of received radio-frequency signals relative to one another, the imagery depicting vertical characteristics of the one or more internal features.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising orienting the plurality of antenna elements to have a horizontal spatial separation relative to one another.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein transmitting the transmitted radio-frequency signal comprises stepping the transmitted radio-frequency signal through a range of frequencies.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein stepping the transmitted radio-frequency signal comprises stepping the transmitted radio-frequency signal through a range of frequencies that extends from 500 Mega-Hertz to 1225 Mega-Hertz.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein stepping the transmitted radio-frequency signal comprises repeatedly stepping the transmitted radio-frequency signals through the range of frequencies within every 6 inch movement of the plurality of antenna elements.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein generating imagery of one or more internal features of the stationary object comprises generating imagery of a ground floor and one or more upper floors of a building.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein moving the plurality of antenna elements horizontally with respect to the building comprises moving the plurality of antenna elements horizontally with respect to a building using a land-based vehicle.
19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising orienting the plurality of antenna elements to have a fixed orientation relative to one another.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein receiving the reflected radio-frequency signals comprises receiving at least a portion of the reflected radio-frequency signals with a vertical aperture that differs from one another.