Feasibility of Radon projection acquisition for compressive imaging in MMW region based new video rate 16×16 GDD FPA camera

Abstract

In this article we present preliminary results for the combination of two interesting fields in the last few years: 1) Compressed imaging (CI), which is a joint sensing and compressing process, that attempts to exploit the large redundancy in typical images in order to capture fewer samples than usual. 2) Millimeter Waves (MMW) imaging. MMW based imaging systems are required for a large variety of applications in many growing fields such as medical treatments, homeland security, concealed weapon detection, and space technology. Moreover, the possibility to create a reliable imaging in low visibility conditions such as heavy cloud, smoke, fog and sandstorms in the MMW region, generate high interest from military groups in order to be ready for new combat. The lack of inexpensive room temperature imaging sensors makes it difficult to provide a suitable MMW system for many of the above applications. A system based on Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) Focal Plane Arrays (FPA) can be very efficient in real timeimaging with significant results. The GDD is located in free space and it can detect MMW radiation almost isotropically. In this article, we present a new approach of reconstruction MMW imaging by rotation scanning of the target. The Collection process here, based on Radon projections allows implementation of the compressive sensing principles into the MMW region. Feasibility of concept was obtained as radon line imaging results. MMW imaging results with our resent sensor are also presented for the first time. The multiplexing frame rate of 16x16 GDD FPA permits real time video rate imaging of 30 frames per second and comprehensive MMW imaging. It uses commercial GDD lamps with diameter, Ne indicator lamps as pixel detectors. Combination of these two fields should make significant improvement in MMW region imaging research, and new various of possibilities in compressing sensing technique.