LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Homeland Security SBIR Phase II: DHS201-006

Description

Handheldmillimeter wave (mm-wave) advanced threat detection and imaging prototypes will be designed, tested, and delivered. The advanced detection/imaging wands incorporate a low cost frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar linear array to image concealed non-metallic and metallic threats on personnel. The advanced detection/imaging wand may be used for aviation passenger screening as a primary screening substitute, or as a secondary screening augmentation to the existing whole body mm-wave imagers. The device will be applicable to: pop-up checkpoint environments suitable for employee screening or other random supplemental security measures; alarm resolution procedures where additional inspection is required but may prevent a physical pat-down; and locations that cannot accommodate a fixed system due to size, weight, power, or cost limitations. The Phase I project demonstrated the feasibility of employing low cost commercial off the shelf (COTS) mm-wave FMCW sensor technology to rapidly generate sub-surface synthetic aperture reconstructed (SAR) images of threats and anomalous objects beneath clothing. Additionally, In Phase II a low cost induction metal detector will be built into the handheld wand to provide the operator positive discrimination between dielectric and metal threats within the imaging field of view. The Phase I project demonstrated that the proposed advanced detection/imaging wand should have superior threat discrimination with improved probability of detection (PD) and probability of false alarm (PFA) compared to the very low cost incumbent handheld metal detectors. The Phase I project demonstrated the feasibility of a Phase II design that will meet the pricing goal of less than $5,000.