57-64 GHz Imaging/Detection Sensor–Part I: System Setup and Experimental Evaluations

A novel experimental evaluation of millimeterwave imaging / detection system based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) is presented. The proposed 60 GHz-band system is characterized by high precision, lightweight, low profile, and utilization of low cost scanning probes. As a scanning sensor, multi sin-corrugation antipodal tapered slot antenna (MC-AFTSA-SC) with and without a grooved spherical probe is introduced. Although, the precise mechanical setup is especially designed and optimized to hold the proposed scanning probe antenna, it can handle a wide range of probes. The proposed antenna sensor is experimentally evaluated by integrating it in the proposed imaging/detection system. As a bench-marking process, multiple images for different targets are reconstructed using both the proposed probe and conventional standard gain horn (SGH) antenna. The images are generated using 2D linear scanning platform with a cross range resolution δx = δy = 3mm achieving a 100 × 100 pixels image. The obtained images indicate a superior performance of the proposed scanning probe over the bigger sized SGH. This paper is split into two parts because of its length: this paper (part I) describes the system setup and experimental evaluation of the probes, while part II will discuss experiments for detecting concealed weapons and threatening materials.