Picosecond pulse imaging — uniquely promising but challenging modality for a wearable BMI

Ultrawideband (UWB) 20-100 picosecond wide electrical pulses can penetrate through deep brain tissues, and can now be generated and detected using arrays of extremely low cost single chip radars. The ability to make an inexpensive helmet with hundreds of these radars, coupled with their unique capability for full brain penetration endows Picosecond Pulse Imaging (PPI) with the most promise, at least in theory, for enabling wearable, high resolution portable Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs) for real time functional imaging. However, usable structural and functional images have not been produced to date. Methods are proposed here that have significant promise for overcoming the poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and high degree of scattering that have prevented this technology from reaching its potential. Preliminary results for new high dynamic range PPI radar ICs are also presented.