Microwave Near Field Imaging in Real Time Video

In the last decade, we have witnessed dramatic decrease in the price and size of microwave electronics along with the advent of the radio-on-a-chip (RoC), the software-defined radio (SDR), and the single-chip radars. This has spurred unprecedented growth in applications such as imaging, sensing and detection. From automotive radar to medical diagnostics and concealed-weapon detection, microwave imaging and detection define the next wireless revolution. We will introduce the methods of microwave imaging, which allow to “see” inside optically opaque objects. A brief summary of the models used to describe the wave propagation inside the imaged object are presented. We also discuss how these properties can be deduced from the measurements and presented in the form of 3D images. The inner workings of one prominent imaging method, namely, microwave holography is presented.