Microwave radiometer systems for security applications

Abstract

Microwaves in the range of 1-300 GHz are used in many respects for remote sensing applications. The imaging of persons and critical infrastructures for security purposes is of increasing interest particularly for transportation services or public events. Personnel inspection with respect to weapons and explosives becomes an important mean concerning terrorist attacks. Microwaves can penetrate clothing and a multitude of other materials and allow the detection of hidden objects by monitoring dielectric anomalies. Passive microwave remote sensing allows a daytime independent non-destructive observation and examination of the objects of interest under nearly all weather conditions without artificial exposure of persons or areas. Imaging and profiling systems have been developed in the past for a multitude of applications. The development of suitable high-resolution and real-time capable instruments is supported by the extensive use of adequate experimental sensors as precursors for advanced operational equipment. An application of radiometric sensors for wide area monitoring is illustrated.