A handheld active millimeter wave camera

Abstract

A microwave imaging technology is described where large area diffraction limited images are created by a small, low cost, low power, handheld device. The camera actively illuminates targets with a circularly polarized scanning confocal spot beam. Backscattered radiation is collected to form an image on an LCD screen. The camera is configured to image behind walls and other flat surfaces. A set of encoded omni-wheels track camera position so that a 2500mm × 1700mm image may be stitched together. Operating in the 24GHz ISM band, the camera is approximately 6” diameter and 8.5” tall. At this size we believe it enables a broad range of new inspection tasks.