Artificial Skin Mimicking Human Reflection for Millimeter Wave Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active millimeter wave imaging systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between human subjects with varying body mass indices and threat objects due to differences in signal reflection, which affects their contrast resolution capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Development of artificial skin and human phantoms with radar absorbing and conductive layers mimicking human skin reflection coefficients at millimeter wave frequencies, allowing for the assessment of an imaging system's ability to differentiate between human subjects and threat objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional testing methods using uniform targets are used, then the imaging system can be simplified, but the ability to assess contrast resolution across different body mass indices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the reflection coefficient of the conductive layer to match different human skin reflection characteristics across body mass indices. The conductive layer's reflection coefficient is specifically tuned to replicate the electromagnetic response of human skin at different BMI levels, enabling the imaging system to assess contrast resolution across diverse body types using a single adjustable target rather than multiple complex physical phantoms.
2Measurement precision
If artificial skin with matched reflection coefficients is used, then contrast resolution testing accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial skin employs composite materials by combining a radar absorbing layer with a conductive layer containing electrically conductive material. This composite structure enables precise control over the reflection coefficient to match human skin characteristics. The radar absorbing layer reduces unwanted reflections while the conductive layer provides the necessary electromagnetic response, creating a manufacturable composite that achieves accurate contrast resolution testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer's electrical properties are adjusted by changing the type and amount of electrically conductive material used, allowing the reflection coefficient to be tuned to match different human skin characteristics. This parameter adjustment approach enables manufacturing flexibility while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If multiple physical phantoms for different body mass indices are created, then accurate testing is achieved, but the testing system becomes more complex and harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating multiple physical phantoms for different body mass indices, the patent uses a single artificial skin target with a conductive layer whose reflection coefficient can be adjusted or selected to match different human skin characteristics. This parameter-based approach maintains testing reliability across different BMI levels while eliminating the need for multiple complex physical phantoms, simplifying the testing system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The artificial skin and phantoms enable effective testing of an active millimeter wave imaging system's contrast resolution by replicating human skin reflection characteristics, thereby improving the system's ability to detect threat objects across different body mass indices.
Implementation Method 1
a radar absorbing layer
Implementation Method 2
the artificial skin has a reflection coefficient substantially equal to a human skin reflection coefficient, the human skin reflection coefficient being determined at an electromagnetic radiation frequency ranging from 1-500 GHz
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an artificial skin having a radar absorbing layer and a conductive layer containing an electrically conductive material, wherein the artificial skin has a reflection coefficient substantially equal to a human skin reflection coefficient, the human skin reflection coefficient being determined at an electromagnetic radiation frequency ranging from 1-500 GHz. A human phantom composed of the artificial skin and methods of testing the contrast resolution sufficiency of and active millimeter wave imaging system using the human phantom are also disclosed.