Fourier-Space Image Reconstruction Using Microwave Measurements: The Path Toward Real-Time Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Imaging

Abstract

The use of electromagnetic waves at microwave and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies in imaging has been growing rapidly in the last two decades with applications in security screening, biomedical imaging, nondestructive testing, and the inspection of goods and packages. The nonionizing nature of the radiation renders microwave and mm-wave imaging (MMI) safe for humans and, thus, attractive, especially for frequent imaging of living tissue and humans. At the same time, the radiation penetrates many materials, which are optically opaque: e.g., fog and foliage, soil and living tissue, brick and drywall, wood, fabrics, and plastics. Importantly, modern MMI systems offer compact and relatively low-cost hardware due to advancements in high-frequency microelectronics.