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

所提出的研究计划的目标是开发用于微波频率范围内成像和检测的低成本和紧凑传感器。这些传感器将能够集成到未来的大规模认知传感网络中。该研究将涉及：(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：传感器将由小型化无线电单元阵列（与天线集成的芯片无线电）组成。还将研究在柔性基材和织物上的实现，以进行可穿戴部署。较小的单元尺寸和偏置开关架构将消除昂贵的大型射频（RF）组件。射频信号将在天线终端处进行下变频，以便用低频（LF）信号走线取代微波互连，这种走线更便宜，更不容易产生寄生。这将大大减少信号损失和失真。我们将利用微波电子学在过去十年中前所未有的小型化。软件定义的无线电范例将允许频率敏捷性和多样性。由于这些进步，预计微波成像、检测和监视将无处不在。我的团队渴望走在这项研究的前沿。***(b)算法：我的团队在实时微波成像和检测方法方面处于领先地位。近年来，我们不仅使这些方法更快（这样它们就可以以更精细的分辨率成像更大的物体），而且还可以定量，这转化为增强的检测和识别。我们还开发了用于隐蔽武器探测（CWD）的实时探测方法。下一阶段的研究将集中在快速迭代重建算法和学习和适应软件能力的发展。这将使在复杂的、可能是动态的环境中进行实时成像和检测成为可能，并将允许最好地利用先验信息。这在以下应用中非常重要：(i)通过定期筛查进行癌症检测，（ii）对移动目标的身体CWD进行安全监视，以及（iii）对结构完整性进行实时无损监测。这个项目的意义在于它将启用大量的应用程序。无线技术通过机器和人之间的高速、广泛的信息流使社会发生了革命性的变化。下一个前沿是成像和检测系统的发展，它将提供从医疗诊断到缺陷检测到CWD的解决方案。通过现有的专业知识，加拿大有能力成为这一创新的领导者，我的团队为此做出了贡献。这个项目将在这个多学科的科学和技术领域培养年轻的研究人员，为他们将来的工作做好准备。

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.