US6777684B1 — Systems and methods for millimeter and sub-millim…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 155 words

An s-mmw imaging system, comprising a non-rotating diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, wherein the diffuser comprises a spatially distributed diffuser and wherein the diffuser comprises a plurality of spatially distributed point scatterers; at least one radiation source disposed to illuminate the diffuser, the at least one radiation source generating radiation having a wavelength between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm; a quasi-optical element disposed between the field of view and a multi-element receiver, the quasi-optical element directing radiation from the field of view toward an imaging plane; said multi-element receiver disposed in the imaging plane, wherein particular ones of the receiver elements transform radiation into a set of electrical signals; and a processor coupled to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, the processor causing the point scatterers to be controlled based on information determined from the electrical signals.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 155 words

An s-mmw imaging system, comprising a non-rotating diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, wherein the diffuser comprises a spatially distributed diffuser and wherein the diffuser comprises a plurality of spatially distributed point scatterers; at least one radiation source disposed to illuminate the diffuser, the at least one radiation source generating radiation having a wavelength between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm; a quasi-optical element disposed between the field of view and a multi-element receiver, the quasi-optical element directing radiation from the field of view toward an imaging plane; said multi-element receiver disposed in the imaging plane, wherein particular ones of the receiver elements transform radiation into a set of electrical signals; and a processor coupled to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, the processor causing the point scatterers to be controlled based on information determined from the electrical signals.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the diffuser comprises a two-dimensional array of point scatterers, each of the point scatterers having a position and orientation which can be independently changed in time relative to a reference plane.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the point scatterers comprise conductive structures being loaded by impedances.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 3 wherein magnitudes of the impedances of the loaded structures are time-varied due to modulation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 4 wherein said spatially distinct scatterers are modulated by signals exhibiting distinct modulation features.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 5 wherein one of the distinct modulation features is the frequency of the modulation signals.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 4 wherein the point scatterers are divided into sets and wherein each point scatterer within a set of point scatters is modulated by the same modulation signal.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 7 wherein each set of point scatterers is frequency modulated by a unique modulating signal, wherein the frequencies of the modulation signals are distinct.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 7 wherein the composition of each set of point scatterers can be dynamically changed.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 11 words

The system of claim 3 wherein the conductive structures comprise antennae.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 1 and further comprising a processor coupled to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, the processor generating resultant images from the electrical signals.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 45 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation directed from the diffuser toward the field of view comprises a set of multiple phase-independent partials being independently controllable and exhibiting distinct physical features and wherein the electrical signals include information relating to features of the partials.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation incident on the diffuser includes doublet spectral components.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the spatially distributed point scatterers are disposed on a corrugated substrate.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of the point scatterers change the phase of scattered radiation independently of others of the point scatterers.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of the point scatterers change the frequency distribution of scattered radiation independently of others of the point scatterers.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 101 words

A source of partially coherent radiation for illuminating a field of view, the source comprising: at least one non-movable diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation being incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, the diffuser including an array of independently controllable radiation scatterers; and at least one radiation emitting source being arranged to illuminate said diffuser with radiation; wherein each radiation scatterer comprises a static high-Q resonant scatterer exhibiting frequency resonance belonging to a particular frequency band and wherein the radiation emitting source comprises a radiation source that sweeps over the particular frequency band.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 101 words

A source of partially coherent radiation for illuminating a field of view, the source comprising: at least one non-movable diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation being incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, the diffuser including an array of independently controllable radiation scatterers; and at least one radiation emitting source being arranged to illuminate said diffuser with radiation; wherein each radiation scatterer comprises a static high-Q resonant scatterer exhibiting frequency resonance belonging to a particular frequency band and wherein the radiation emitting source comprises a radiation source that sweeps over the particular frequency band.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 15 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein each of the radiation scatterers is electronically controllable.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The radiation source claim 18 wherein each of the radiation scatterers is controllable by a time-varying modulation signal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The radiation source of claim 19 wherein said radiation scatterers are assigned into sets and wherein each radiation scatterer within a set of radiation scatterers is modulated in the same manner.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The radiation source of claim 20 wherein the sets are assigned according to an angle of incidence of radiation scattered by the diffuser.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The radiation source of claim 21 wherein the sets are dynamically assigned.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The radiation source of claim 19 wherein the modulation signal exhibits distinct modulation features for distinct scatterers.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

The radiation source of claim 19 wherein the radiation scatterers are controlled by frequency-modulated modulation signals.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the radiation scatterers can be independently controlled by physically moving the point scatterers with respect to a reference plane.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 25 wherein each radiation scatterer is under piezoelectric control.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 25 wherein each radiation scatterer is under electromagnetic control.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein each radiation scatterer comprises a conductive structure loaded by an impedance.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 28 wherein each radiation scatterer includes a resistive element.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 28 wherein each radiation scatterer includes an inductive element.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 28 wherein each radiation scatterer includes a capacitive element.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 33 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the at least one radiation emitting source is arranged to illuminate the diffuser with radiation having a wavelength between about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the radiation scatterers are disposed on a corrugated substrate.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the radiation scatterers have polarization selective characteristics.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 14 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the radiation scatterers have frequency selective characteristics.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 16 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein each radiation scatterer is controlled by an electric signal.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 16 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein each radiation scatterer is controlled by an optical signal.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 25 words

The radiation source of claim 17 wherein the radiation scatterers comprise antennas with closely spaced frequency resonances that are spatially clustered in given geometrical profiles.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 103 words

A millimeter wave system comprising: a source of radiation, the radiation comprising a set of independently controllable radiation components, each radiation component comprising a doublet that includes two spectral lines, and each radiation component being labeled by a given frequency shift between the two spectral lines; a receiver including an array of receiver elements disposed to receive the radiation emitted by the source, the receiver transforming the received radiation into an array of electrical signals; and a processing system coupled to receive the array of electrical signals and for decoding the array of electrical signals based on the labels of the radiation components.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 103 words

A millimeter wave system comprising: a source of radiation, the radiation comprising a set of independently controllable radiation components, each radiation component comprising a doublet that includes two spectral lines, and each radiation component being labeled by a given frequency shift between the two spectral lines; a receiver including an array of receiver elements disposed to receive the radiation emitted by the source, the receiver transforming the received radiation into an array of electrical signals; and a processing system coupled to receive the array of electrical signals and for decoding the array of electrical signals based on the labels of the radiation components.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the processing system is coupled to the source of radiation to provide instructions on how to control the radiation components.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the frequency difference between the two spectral lines is modulated.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the central frequency of the two spectral lines is swept in time.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 94 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the two spectral lines comprise a co-polarized doublet and wherein the source of radiation comprises: a pair of voltage controlled oscillators operating at a s-mmw frequency and having a first characteristic polarization state; a set of load-modulated point scatterers that are illuminated by the voltage controlled oscillators, the set of load-modulated point scatterers being preferentially sensitive to the first characteristic polarization state; wherein the load of each point scatterer is modulated with a time varying signal; and wherein the scattered radiation is directed to an object being imaged.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 43 wherein the time varying signal is a periodic signal.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the source of radiation is in a substrate configuration, the source further comprising means to combine the radiation of the two spectral lines of each component.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the source of radiation is in a waveguide configuration, the source further comprising means to combine the radiation of the two spectral lines of each component.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the two spectral lines have co-polarization characteristics.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the two spectral lines have cross-polarization characteristics.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the receiver elements comprise mixers which generate difference frequency signals for the radiation components.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 88 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the source of radiation includes: a first voltage controlled oscillator operating at a first frequency; a second voltage controlled oscillator operating at a second frequency; and an embedded mixer; wherein the combined energy of the first and second voltage controlled oscillators is divided into two unequal parts, a major part being used to direct to a destination and a minor part being used to control a difference frequency between the two spectral lines by mixing the minor part in the embedded mixer.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 102 words

The system of claim 39 wherein the two spectral lines comprise a cross-polarized doublet and wherein the source of radiation includes: a first set of load-modulated point scatterers, the first set exhibiting a first polarization state; a second set of load-modulated point scatterers, the second set exhibiting a second polarization state, the first polarization state being orthogonal to the second polarization state; and a voltage controlled oscillator operating at an s-mmw frequency having a third characteristic polarization state which differs from the said first and second polarization states, the voltage controlled oscillator illuminating the first and second sets of load-modulated point scatterers.

Claim 55

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for creating radiation that includes a polarized doublet, the method including: emitting radiation at a first s-mmw frequency; emitting radiation at a second s-mmw frequency, wherein the difference between the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency is much smaller than the average of the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency; controlling the difference between the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency; polarizing the radiation at the first s-mmw frequency into a first characteristic polarization; polarizing the radiation at the s-mmw frequency into a second characteristic polarization; combining the radiation at the first s-mmw frequency and the radiation at the second s-mmw frequency; and directing the combined radiation to a destination.

Claim 56

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for creating radiation that includes a polarized doublet, the method including: emitting radiation at a first s-mmw frequency; emitting radiation at a second s-mmw frequency, wherein the difference between the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency is much smaller than the average of the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency; controlling the difference between the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency; polarizing the radiation at the first s-mmw frequency into a first characteristic polarization; polarizing the radiation at the s-mmw frequency into a second characteristic polarization; combining the radiation at the first s-mmw frequency and the radiation at the second s-mmw frequency; and directing the combined radiation to a destination.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the first polarization is essentially equal to the second polarization.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the first polarization is essentially orthogonal to the second polarization.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the combined radiation is divided into two unequal parts, a major part being directed to the destination and a minor part being used to control the difference frequency.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 52 and further comprising changing average of the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 52 and further comprising modulating the difference between the first s-mmw frequency and the second s-mmw frequency.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the method is performed in a waveguide configuration.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the method is performed in a planar substrate configuration.

Claim 64

Independent Claim 162 words

A method of creating radiation that includes a cross-polarized doublet, the method comprising: providing a voltage controlled oscillator operating at a first s-mmw frequency; directing energy of the oscillator to uniformly illuminate first and second sets of load-modulated point scatterers, the first set exhibiting a first polarization state and the second set exhibiting a second polarization state, wherein the first polarization state is orthogonal to the second polarization state; polarizing the oscillator in a third characteristic polarization state; positioning the first and second sets of point scatterers such that the first and second polarization state substantially differs from the third characteristic polarization state; modulating the load of the first scatterer with a first time varying signal; modulating the load of the second scatterer with a second time varying signal, wherein the ground harmonic of first time varying signal essentially differs from any harmonic of the second harmonic time varying signal; and scattering radiation from the first and second sets of point scatterers.

Claim 65

Independent Claim 162 words

A method of creating radiation that includes a cross-polarized doublet, the method comprising: providing a voltage controlled oscillator operating at a first s-mmw frequency; directing energy of the oscillator to uniformly illuminate first and second sets of load-modulated point scatterers, the first set exhibiting a first polarization state and the second set exhibiting a second polarization state, wherein the first polarization state is orthogonal to the second polarization state; polarizing the oscillator in a third characteristic polarization state; positioning the first and second sets of point scatterers such that the first and second polarization state substantially differs from the third characteristic polarization state; modulating the load of the first scatterer with a first time varying signal; modulating the load of the second scatterer with a second time varying signal, wherein the ground harmonic of first time varying signal essentially differs from any harmonic of the second harmonic time varying signal; and scattering radiation from the first and second sets of point scatterers.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 60 wherein the first and second time varying signals are periodic signals.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 61 wherein the sum of the ground harmonics of the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal is equal to a doublet frequency difference.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 61 wherein the difference of the ground harmonics of the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal is equal to a doublet frequency difference.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 61 wherein the periodic signals are binary signals.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 61 wherein the periodic signals are harmonic signals.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 61 and further comprising controlling the difference frequency between the periodic signals by dividing the energy of both periodic signals in unequal parts, a major part being used to drive first and second loads and the minor part being used to control the difference frequency.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 112 words

A millimeter wave transmitter-receiver apparatus for transmitting and receiving image or communication data comprising: a source of radiation, the radiation comprising a set of independently controllable radiation components, each radiation component comprising a doublet that includes two spectral lines, and each radiation component being labeled by a given frequency shift between the two spectral lines; a receiver including an array of receiver elements disposed to receive the radiation emitted by the source, the receiver transforming the received radiation into an array of electrical signals; and a processing system coupled to receive the array of electrical signals and for decoding the array of electrical signals based on the labels of the radiation components.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 112 words

A millimeter wave transmitter-receiver apparatus for transmitting and receiving image or communication data comprising: a source of radiation, the radiation comprising a set of independently controllable radiation components, each radiation component comprising a doublet that includes two spectral lines, and each radiation component being labeled by a given frequency shift between the two spectral lines; a receiver including an array of receiver elements disposed to receive the radiation emitted by the source, the receiver transforming the received radiation into an array of electrical signals; and a processing system coupled to receive the array of electrical signals and for decoding the array of electrical signals based on the labels of the radiation components.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the processing system is coupled to the source of radiation to provide instructions on how to control the radiation components.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the frequency difference between the two spectral lines is modulated.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the central frequency of the two spectral lines is swept in time.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 173 words

The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the two spectral lines comprise a doublet and wherein the source of radiation comprises: at least one pair of voltage controlled oscillators operating at different s-mmw frequencies; a plurality of paired couplers each of which is individually coupled to an output of one of the voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) for dividing VCO radiation into a major portion for transmitting in free space and a minor portion for mixing; a first mixer for mixing the minor radiation portion the VCO radiation to produce a first beat signal; a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit providing phase-locking of the first beat signal by the reference signal, wherein one input of the PLL circuit is supplied by the first beat signal, another PLL circuit input is supplied by the reference signal and an output correction voltage produced by the PLL circuits is provided to a frequency correcting driving voltage input of one of the VCOs; and an antenna system to transmit the major radiation portions produced by the VCOs in free space.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 137 words

An s-mmw imaging system, comprising: a non-rotating diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, wherein the radiation incident on the diffuser includes doublet spectral components and wherein the radiation incident on the diffuser is modulated by modulating a spectral shift between doublet spectral components; at least one radiation source disposed to illuminate the diffuser, the at least one radiation source generating radiation having a wavelength between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm; a quasi-optical element disposed between the field of view and a multi-element receiver, the quasi-optical element directing radiation from the field of view toward an imaging plane; and said multi-element receiver disposed in the imaging plane, wherein particular ones of the receiver elements transform radiation into a set of electrical signals.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 137 words

An s-mmw imaging system, comprising: a non-rotating diffuser destroying a spatial coherence of radiation incident on the diffuser and directing the radiation towards a field of view, wherein the radiation incident on the diffuser includes doublet spectral components and wherein the radiation incident on the diffuser is modulated by modulating a spectral shift between doublet spectral components; at least one radiation source disposed to illuminate the diffuser, the at least one radiation source generating radiation having a wavelength between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm; a quasi-optical element disposed between the field of view and a multi-element receiver, the quasi-optical element directing radiation from the field of view toward an imaging plane; and said multi-element receiver disposed in the imaging plane, wherein particular ones of the receiver elements transform radiation into a set of electrical signals.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 72 wherein the diffuser comprises a spatially distributed diffuser.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 73 wherein the diffuser comprises a plurality of spatially distributed point scatterers.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 74 and further comprising a processor coupled to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, the processor causing the point scatterers to be controlled based on information determined from the electrical signals.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 74 wherein the diffuser comprises a two-dimensional array of point scatterers, each of the point scatterers having a position and orientation which can be independently changed in time relative to a reference plane.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 74 wherein the point scatterers comprise conductive structures being loaded by impedances.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 72 and further comprising a processor coupled to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, the processor generating resultant images from the electrical signals.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 72 wherein the radiation directed from the diffuser toward the field of view comprises a set of multiple phase-independent partials being independently controllable and exhibiting distinct physical features and wherein the electrical signals include information relating to said features of the partials.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-08-17	2008-02-16	2008-08-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-08-17	2012-02-16	2012-08-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-08-17	2016-02-16	2016-08-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Systems and methods for millimeter and sub-millimeter wave imaging

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