Radar imaging device using prism shaped aperture

An inspection system utilizing millimeter wave imaging is presented. It performs 3D imaging with an inverse synthetic aperture approach. The object under test is passing on a conveyor belt while being investigated with millimeter waves. The system seeks to overcome the limitations of a planar aperture and enables a prism-shaped aperture which is richer in terms of angular illumination. Real-time processing is possible through an integrated industrial GPU. To process the images from raw reflection data, a hybrid algorithm, combining elements of backprojection and the Omega-k algorithm, is derived. This algorithm unites the flexibility of backprojection with the computational advantages of the Omega-k algorithm. The system utilizes commercially available radar MMICs working from 57 to $\mathbf{6 4} \mathbf{G H z}$. Exemplary imaging results are shown and a comparison with backprojection is drawn.