Terahertz Multimode Imaging With Real-Time Phase and FOV Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terahertz imaging systems operate in a single mode, failing to meet all-weather monitoring and imaging requirements, lack flexibility, and have limited field of view and real-time performance, especially in complex environments.
Innovation Solution
A terahertz multimode real-time imaging system that operates in four modes: passive non-coherent, passive coherent, active non-coherent, and active coherent, utilizing a terahertz quasi-optical feeding module, focal plane imaging array, intermediate frequency readout circuit, signal processing and control module, display module, and terahertz transmission signal and local oscillation signal module, with flexible switching and control of focal length and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-mode terahertz imaging system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and versatility are insufficient to meet all-weather monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The terahertz imaging system is designed with multi-functionality to operate in four distinct modes: passive non-coherent mode, passive coherent mode, active non-coherent mode, and active coherent mode. This universal design allows a single system to adapt to different monitoring requirements including all-weather surveillance, imaging, and target tracking, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic mode switching capability that allows real-time transition between different operating modes based on environmental conditions and monitoring requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize performance for specific tasks while maintaining a relatively simple base architecture, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Loss of time
If focal plane imaging architecture is used for real-time staring imaging, then real-time performance is improved, but phase information of target cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging function into distinct operational modes. The focal plane imaging array is configured to operate in different modes: in passive coherent and active coherent modes, the system performs coherent detection to obtain phase information, while in non-coherent modes, it performs real-time staring imaging. This segmentation allows both real-time performance and phase information acquisition to be achieved through appropriate mode selection.
3Loss of information
If synthetic aperture radar imaging architecture is used for coherent detection, then phase information can be obtained, but real-time performance deteriorates and system cannot remain stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by integrating both focal plane imaging capability and coherent detection capability within the same hardware architecture. The focal plane imaging array can switch between real-time staring imaging mode and coherent detection mode, allowing the system to obtain phase information through coherent detection while maintaining real-time performance through the focal plane architecture, thereby resolving the contradiction between phase information acquisition and real-time performance.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional terahertz imaging system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but field of view and observation angle are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a quasi-optical lens group with servo control capability that enables dynamic adjustment of the field of view and observation angle. By adding the dimension of mechanical control (servo mechanism) to the optical system, the field of view can be dynamically expanded and adjusted without fundamentally changing the core imaging architecture, thereby resolving the contradiction between field of view and device complexity.
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
Enables all-weather silent monitoring and imaging, improves image contrast in complex environments, and allows for flexible array design and high-resolution imaging with simultaneous phase information acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
a terahertz focal plane imaging array front-end module configured to convert the received terahertz signal to a terahertz current
Implementation Method 2
a terahertz quasi-optical lens group configured to receive a terahertz signal from a target and transmit the terahertz signal to the terahertz focal plane imaging array front-end module
Data Source
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AI summary
A terahertz multimode real-time imaging system, comprising a terahertz quasi-optical feed-in module (1), a terahertz planar imaging array front-end module (2), an intermediate frequency readout circuit (3), a signal processing and control module (4), a display module (5), a baseband signal generating module (6), and a terahertz transmitting signal and local oscillation signal module (7). The present system may work in four working modes: passive non-coherent, passive coherent, active non-coherent, and active coherent, may meet application requirements for all-weather silent surveillance, suspected key target imaging and tracking, and so on, and may improve the image contrast in circumstances in which the imaging quality is poor due to environmental factors. The present system is suitable for aerospace situational awareness and imaging tracking of aerospace targets.