SUMIRAD - A Close to Real Time MMW Radiometer Imaging System

Abstract

The armed forces are nowadays confronted with a wide variety of types of operations. During peace keeping missions in an urban environment, where small units patrol the streets with armored vehicles, the team leader is confronted with a very complex threat situation. The asymmetric imminence arises in most cases from so called IEDs (Improvised explosive devices) which are found in a multitude of versions. In order to avoid risky situations the early detection of possible threats due to advanced reconnaissance and surveillance sensors will provide an important advantage. The aim of the SUM project (Surveillance in an urban environment using mobile sensors) is to develop a low-cost multi-sensor vehicle based surveillance system in order to enhance situational awareness for moving security and military patrols as well as for static checkpoints. The SUMIRAD (SUM imaging radiometer) system is a fast radiometric imager and part of the SUM sensor suite. This paper will present the principle of the SUMIRAD system and its key components. Furthermore the image processing of the final image product reconstructed from the data stream of each radiometer receiver will be described. Imaging results from several measurement campaigns will be presented.