Performance modeling of a passive interferometric Millimeter Wave Sensor

This paper describes the modeling of human task performance using a passive interferometric millimeter wave (MMW) imaging sensor. The model is based on a previous model developed for concealed weapon identification using an active terahertz imager. Both models leverage the task performance modeling approach developed by the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. Key developments for this model include modeling of the effects of an interferometric antenna array, including sparse arrays, and a novel optical upconversion and processing stage being developed by the University of Delaware. Sparse interferometric arrays do not fully sample the spatial frequency extent of the image and as a result, can have degraded spatial frequency response over a fully populated array. The spatial frequency response of the sparse array can have a dramatic effect on image quality. Image quality is empirically related to task performance through the use of perception experiments. Possible applications of this odel include system trade studies, concealed weapon identification, and navigation in fog and brown out conditions. © 2009 SPIE