Contributions in inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Digital Image Processing

This book presents several recent advances that are related or fall under the umbrella of 'digital image processing', with the purpose of providing an insight into the possibilities offered by digital image processing algorithms in various fields. The presented mathematical algorithms are accompanied by graphical representations and illustrative examples for an enhanced readability. The chapters are written in a manner that allows even a reader with basic experience and knowledge in the digital image processing field to properly understand the presented algorithms. Concurrently, the structure of the information in this book is such that fellow scientists will be able to use it to push the development of the presented subjects even further

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF ANTENNA PROBES FOR DETECTION / IMAGING APPLICATIONS

Analysis and Design of Antenna Probes for Detection / Imaging Applications Ayman Elboushi, Ph.D. Concordia University. As a result of increasing international terrorist threats, the need for an efficient inspecting tool has become urgent. Not only for seeing through wall applications, but also to be employed as a safe human body scanner at public places such as airports and borders. The usage of microwave and millimeter wave antennas and systems for detection / imaging applications is currently of increasing research interest targeting the enhancement of different security systems. There are many challenges facing researchers in order to develop such systems. One of the challenges is the proper design of a low cost, reduced size and efficient antenna probe to work as a scanning sensor. In this thesis, two different technology choices of antenna probes for the feasibility of constructing detection / imaging systems are investigated. The first one covers the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) range (3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz), while the second operates over the Millimeter-Wave (MMW) range. In addition to the development of several antenna probes, two detection / imaging systems are demonstrated and showed reasonably accurate detection results. Three different UWB monopole antenna prototypes, with different radiator shapes (circular, crescent and elliptical) have been introduced. These antennas are designed using a standard printed circuit board (PCB) process to work as probing sensors in a proposed UWB detection / imaging system. In order to enhance the resolution and the detection accuracy of the probe, 4-element Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) array fed by 1-to-4 UWB modified Wilkinson power divider has been developed. Some successful experiments have been conducted using the proposed UWB detection / imaging system combined with the fabricated antenna probes to detect the presence of a gap between two walls made of different material types, to evaluate the gap width and to estimate the size and exact location of a hidden target between the walls. The second research theme of this thesis is to develop small-sized, light-weight and high gain MMW scanning antenna probes. For the realization of such probes, several gain enhancement techniques have been adopted, including hybridization and a multi-element array principle. Several high-gain hybrid antennas have been designed, fabricated and tested. For demonstration purposes, experiments have been carried out for detecting and imaging a small metallic coin under the jeans layer of a three-layer target emulating a human body’s covering layers. A performance comparison between a standard metallic MMW horn and hybrid microstrip patch/conical horn antenna has been made. The proposed reduced size antenna sensor shows increased efficiency compared with the bulky horn antenna. Resolution enhancement of the reconstructed image of the hidden target is implemented using a new triple-antenna MMW sensor. The triple-antenna sensor consists of three adjacent microstrip patch / conical horn antennas separated by 1.5 wavelengths at the center frequency for coupling reduction between these elements. The middle element of the sensor is used for monitoring the time domain back-reflected signal from the target under inspection, while the side elements are used for monitoring the scattered signals. By the aid of a special signal processing algorithm, an enhanced image of the concealed object can be obtained by combining the three readings of each point in the area under study. The proposed system shows a great ability for detecting a hidden target and enhances the reconstructed image resolution

Proceedings of the Augmented VIsual Display (AVID) Research Workshop

The papers, abstracts, and presentations were presented at a three day workshop focused on sensor modeling and simulation, and image enhancement, processing, and fusion. The technical sessions emphasized how sensor technology can be used to create visual imagery adequate for aircraft control and operations. Participants from industry, government, and academic laboratories contributed to panels on Sensor Systems, Sensor Modeling, Sensor Fusion, Image Processing (Computer and Human Vision), and Image Evaluation and Metrics

Aeronautical engineering: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 267)

This bibliography lists 661 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in June, 1991. Subject coverage includes design, construction and testing of aircraft and aircraft engines; aircraft components, equipment and systems; ground support systems; theoretical and applied aspects of aerodynamics and general fluid dynamics; electrical engineering; aircraft control; remote sensing; computer sciences; nuclear physics; and social sciences

Medical Robotics

The first generation of surgical robots are already being installed in a number of operating rooms around the world. Robotics is being introduced to medicine because it allows for unprecedented control and precision of surgical instruments in minimally invasive procedures. So far, robots have been used to position an endoscope, perform gallbladder surgery and correct gastroesophogeal reflux and heartburn. The ultimate goal of the robotic surgery field is to design a robot that can be used to perform closed-chest, beating-heart surgery. The use of robotics in surgery will expand over the next decades without any doubt. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is a revolutionary approach in surgery. In MIS, the operation is performed with instruments and viewing equipment inserted into the body through small incisions created by the surgeon, in contrast to open surgery with large incisions. This minimizes surgical trauma and damage to healthy tissue, resulting in shorter patient recovery time. The aim of this book is to provide an overview of the state-of-art, to present new ideas, original results and practical experiences in this expanding area. Nevertheless, many chapters in the book concern advanced research on this growing area. The book provides critical analysis of clinical trials, assessment of the benefits and risks of the application of these technologies. This book is certainly a small sample of the research activity on Medical Robotics going on around the globe as you read it, but it surely covers a good deal of what has been done in the field recently, and as such it works as a valuable source for researchers interested in the involved subjects, whether they are currently “medical roboticists” or not