Handheld Single-Chip Submillimeter Radar for Contactless Weapon Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security screening technologies, such as Terry Frisks and consensual searches, are cumbersome, expensive, and often fail to detect concealed weapons accurately, posing risks to both the public and security personnel while infringing on personal privacy.
Innovation Solution
A handheld, portable radar system on a single chip that operates at submillimeter wavelengths, using a phased array antenna and coherent mixer to detect concealed objects with high resolution, eliminating the need for physical contact and bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security screening methods (Terry Frisks, consensual searches) are used, then security personnel can detect concealed objects, but the process is cumbersome, requires physical contact, and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical search methods (physical frisks and manual searches) with an electromagnetic radar system that uses radio waves to detect concealed objects. The handheld radar device emits electromagnetic signals that penetrate clothing and reflect off concealed objects, allowing detection without physical contact and eliminating the safety risks associated with close-proximity manual searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary between the detector and the concealed object. Instead of direct physical contact or line-of-sight visual inspection, the radar system uses radio waves as a mediator to sense the presence, location, and characteristics of concealed objects through clothing and other materials.
2Reliability
If manual frisking methods are used, then officers can search for weapons, but officers are put in peril due to close proximity to suspects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physical frisking with electromagnetic detection. The handheld radar device maintains a safe distance from suspects while emitting electromagnetic signals that can detect weapons concealed on or near the subject, eliminating the need for officers to place themselves in dangerous close proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system allows the subject to remain in control of their own space while the device autonomously detects concealed objects. The electromagnetic signals passively reveal the presence of weapons without requiring the subject to be manipulated or physically contacted, reducing tension and safety risks.
3Reliability
If consensual searches are conducted at venues, then unwanted items can be prevented from entry, but the process is slow and requires expensive manpower and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky, expensive fixed scanning equipment with a handheld radar device that can be quickly moved between subjects. This portable system maintains high detection accuracy while dramatically increasing screening throughput, as officers can rapidly scan multiple individuals without the setup and operational constraints of large fixed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static, fixed-position scanning equipment to a dynamic handheld system that can be rapidly repositioned and redirected. This mobility allows continuous screening of multiple subjects in sequence, significantly improving productivity while maintaining the same detection capabilities.
4Reliability
If bulky scanning equipment is deployed, then comprehensive screening can be performed, but the equipment is cumbersome and requires setup and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces large, fixed mechanical scanning systems with a compact handheld radar device. This substitution maintains comprehensive screening capabilities through electromagnetic detection while reducing equipment size and weight to a portable form factor that requires no setup or removal infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from bulky fixed equipment and concentrates it into a small handheld unit. By removing unnecessary structural components and focusing only on the core radar detection capability, the system achieves comprehensive screening performance in a highly portable package.
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
Provides accurate, non-intrusive, and cost-effective detection of concealed objects, enhancing security while reducing physical danger and operational costs, and allowing for contactless scanning.
Implementation Method 1
handheld, portable radar system on a single chip that operates at submillimeter wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The transmitted signal is swept across a predetermined field of view... Reflected signal energy is received by an antenna on the chip
Implementation Method 3
The received signal is coherently mixed with the transmitted signal allowing frequency and phase information to be recovered
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a coherent radar system on a single chip configured to transmit high-frequency signals with a center frequency in a submillimeter wavelength range that corresponds to a frequency range of 0.3 THz and no greater than 0.4 THz. The radar system on the single chip (RSOC) comprises a phased array transmitter antenna configured to emit a radar beam with a center frequency of greater than 0.3 THz and no greater than 0.4 THz. The RSOC further includes a receiver configured to provide a voltage signal to a wide band receiver voltage controlled oscillator to form a phased array receiver antenna configured to receive reflected signals from the emitted radar beam.