A Simultaneous Radar-Radiometer Imaging Mode (Radarometer)

The proposed millimeter wave sensor alleviates the data fusion problem by incorporating both active as well as passive operating odes in a single sensor, such that they can be operated either individually, in time sequence, or simultaneously. A unique feature is the use of a common high-speed, mechanically scanned antenna capable of generating active and passive millimeter wave images simultaneously. As the antenna beam is scanned across the scene, the passive and active sensors simultaneously measure the passive antenna temperature and the radar reflectivity associated with each pixel. The passive (radiometric) image of the scene is displayed on a common time base with the active (radar) image of the scene. The antenna scanning geometry is identical for both images. Both are obtained and displayed, frame by frame, in real time on a common time base.