The history of passive millimetre-wave imaging at QinetiQ

R. Appleby

doi:10.1117/12.800369

2 October 2008 The history of passive millimetre-wave imaging at QinetiQ

R. Appleby

Proceedings Volume 7117, Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology; 711702 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800369
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2008, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Abstract

A review of the equipments developed between 1950 and 2008 is given. In the 1950s the first airborne 35 GHz radiometer was flight tested on a Lincoln bomber. Initial results were encouraging but radar and thermal imaging were becoming established and offered more general utility. The technology was based on valves and the equipment occupied a large part of the rear of the aircraft. As semiconductor technology matured and gave rise to low noise mixers and amplifiers, new equipments were developed. In 1992, MITRE, a 94 GHz data collection system based on superheterodyne receivers, provided non real time high quality imagery and stimulated interest in both surveillance and security, with images through fog and clothing being demonstrated. More recently real time imaging based on a folded conically scanned Schmidt camera has been developed for helicopter pilotage and surveillance.

Citation Download Citation

R. Appleby "The history of passive millimetre-wave imaging at QinetiQ", Proc. SPIE 7117, Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology, 711702 (2 October 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800369

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