Low-cost Compact Radar Systems for Detection, Monitoring and Diagnostics

拟议的研究计划的目的是开发低成本和紧凑的传感器，用于微波频率范围内的成像和检测。这些传感器将能够集成到未来的大规模认知传感网络中。研究将涉及：（a）针对便携式和可穿戴部署的硬件设计和系统集成，以及（B）成像和检测算法。 (a)硬件：传感器将由微型无线电单元阵列（集成天线的芯片无线电）组成。柔性基板和织物上的实现也将被调查的可穿戴部署。小单元尺寸和偏置开关架构将消除昂贵和大型射频（RF）组件。RF信号将在天线端子处被下变频，从而允许用低频（LF）信号走线取代微波互连，低频信号走线更便宜且不易产生寄生效应。这将大大减少信号损失和失真。在过去的十年里，我们将利用微波电子学前所未有的小型化。软件定义无线电模式将允许频率捷变和多样性。由于这些进步，预计微波成像，检测和监视的无处不在的扩展。我的团队渴望成为这项研究的前沿。 (b)算法：我的团队是实时微波成像和探测方法的领导者。近年来，我们已经使这些方法不仅更快（以便它们可以以更精细的分辨率成像更大的物体），而且定量，这转化为增强的检测和识别。我们还开发了隐藏武器检测（CWD）的实时检测方法。这项研究的下一阶段将集中在快速迭代重建算法和学习和适应软件功能的发展。这将能够在复杂的、可能是动态的环境中进行实时成像和探测，并将能够最佳利用先验信息。这在以下应用中是重要的：（i）通过定期筛查进行癌症检测，（ii）对移动目标的体上CWD进行安全监视，以及（iii）对结构完整性进行实时无损监测。 这个项目的重要性在于它将支持大量的应用程序。无线技术通过在机器和人类之间的高速广覆盖信息流彻底改变了社会。下一个前沿领域是成像和检测系统的开发，这些系统将提供从医疗诊断到缺陷检测到CWD的解决方案。加拿大完全有能力通过现有的专门知识成为这一创新的领导者，我的团队对此作出了贡献。该项目将在这一多学科科学和技术领域培训青年研究人员，使他们为未来的工作做好准备。

THE OBJECTIVE of the proposed research program is to develop low-cost and compact sensors for imaging and detection in the microwave frequency range. These sensors will enable integration into the large-scale cognitive sensing networks of the future. The research will involve: (a) hardware design and system integration targeting portable and wearable deployment, and (b) imaging and detection algorithms. (a) HARDWARE: The sensors will consist of arrays of miniaturized radio units (chip radios integrated with antennas). Implementation on flexible substrates and fabrics will also be investigated for wearable deployment. Small unit size and bias-switched architecture will eliminate expensive and large radio-frequency (RF) components. The RF signal will be down-converted right at the antenna terminals allowing for replacing the microwave intetrconnects with low-frequency (LF) signal traces, which are cheaper and less prone to parasitics. This will drastically reduce signal loss and distortion. We will exploit the unprecedented miniaturization of microwave electronics in the last decade. The software-defined radio paradigm will allow for frequency agility and diversity. Due to these advancements, ubiquitous expansion of microwave imaging, detection and surveillance is anticipated. My team aspires to be in the forefront of this research. (b) ALGORITHMS: My team is a leader in the methods of real-time microwave imaging and detection. In recent years, we have made these methods not only faster (so that they can image larger objects with finer resolution) but also quantitative, which translates into enhanced detection and identification. We have also developed real-time detection methods for concealed weapon detection (CWD). The next stage of this research will focus on fast iterative reconstruction algorithms and the development of learning and adapting software capabilities. This will enable the real-time imaging and detection in a complex, possibly dynamic, environment and will allow for the best use of a priori information. This is important in applications such as: (i) cancer detection through regular screening, (ii) security surveillance for on-body CWD of moving targets, and (iii) real-time nondestructive monitoring for structural integrity. The significance of this project is in the plethora of applications that it will enable. Wireless technology has revolutionized society through high-speed wide-coverage information flow among machines and humans. The next frontier is the development of imaging and detection systems that will provide solutions ranging from medical diagnostics, to defect detection, to CWD. Canada is well-positioned to be a leader in this innovation through existing expertise, to which my team contributes. This project will train young researchers in this multidisciplinary field of science and technology preparing them for the jobs of the future.