Project Overview
The goal of this project is to create a radar system that can detect metal from a distance for homeland security applications. This website will cover the 2nd year development of the SAR Imager. This is a collaborative effort between ME Team 18 and ECE Team 11 during the 2015-2016 school year.
Theory
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology is a method of creating high resolution images. Typically, a single small antenna will be mounted to an aircraft and take multiple "snapshots" of a scene. This snapshots are then combined into one single image, giving aircraft high resolution imaging capability while minimizing the required equipment. This project's adaptation of SAR technology will vary because instead of gathering multiple snapshots from one antenna, it will use many antennas and gather on snapshot each.
Typical SAR Application
Modified SAR Application
Application
Our objective is to make a SAR imager with a purpose of creating a strong security system to protect against threats in public places such as movie theaters and stadiums. While there are system in place today that server as metal detectors, this product offers two main advantages: detection from a distance and concealability. Both of these advantages make the security process more difficult to bypass. Many individuals could be screened discretely and quickly.
Previous Work
This group is the second team to work on this project. The 2014-2015 senior design team laid much of the foundation needed to implement the SAR technology in the real world. For details about the 1st generation team and their work, see their website.
2014-2015 Senior Design Team
Project Scope
The 2015-2016 teams will continue the development of the SAR Imager. The ME team working on the project will create a 2nd generation structure for the SAR Imager, as well as developing adjustable horns and testing equipment. The EE team will further the functionality of the product. While the previous team was able to produce results on the test bench, the full functionality desired for the SAR Imager was not acheived.
2015-2016 Senior Design Team
Sponsor
Northrop Grumman is the corporate sponsor for the SAR Imager project. Our sponsor has invested greatly both financially and in expertese. Without the genorousity of Northrop Grumman, this project would not be possible. Northrop Grumman, is a “leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide."
