Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"Microwave and millimeter wave (300 MHz - 300 GHz) imaging techniques have shown great potential for a wide range of industrial and medical applications. These techniques are fundamentally based on measuring relative and coherent electromagnetic fields distributions, e.g., electric fields, around the object to be imaged. Various imaging systems can be devised for measuring relative electric field distributions; each with it own advantages and limitations. This dissertation is focused on addressing critical challenges related to the practical implementation of various microwave and millimeter wave imaging systems. Specifically, this research is meant to achieve three main objectives related to designing efficient modulated imaging methods/array elements, reducing the sensitivity to standoff distance variations in near-field imaging, and designing a simple and accurate vector network analyzer (VNA) for in-situ imaging applications. The concept of modulating millimeter wave antenna and scatterer structures, directly to increase the overall system sensitivity and reduce the image acquisition time, is central to the development presented herein. To improve upon the conventional modulated scatterer technique (MST) based on dipole scatterers; a new multiple loaded scatterer (MLS) method and novel loaded elliptical slot are introduced and analyzed. A unique near-field differential probe based on dual-loaded modulated single waveguide aperture is developed to compensate for and reduce the effect of standoff distance variations in near-field imaging. Finally, a novel vector network analyzer (VNA) design is introduced to meet the rising need for in-situ vector measuring devices. To realize a robust handheld millimeter wave VNA, a custom-designed waveguide phase shifter based on sub-resonant loaded slots is introduced. The proposed MLS method, modulated elliptical slot, dual-loaded modulated aperture probe, and VNA are thoroughly investigated and their efficacy for microwave and millimeter wave imaging is demonstrated"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Zoughi, R.

Committee Member(s)

DuBroff, Richard E.
Pommerenke, David
Hale, Barbara N.
Stanley, R. Joe

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio)
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Texas Research Institute at Austin

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2009

Pagination

xiv, 156 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-155).

Rights

© 2009 Mohamed Ahmed AbouKhousa, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Microwave imaging
Microwave measurements
Millimeter waves
Modulation (Electronics)
Near-fields
Nondestructive testing

Thesis Number

T 9791

Print OCLC #

775794405

Electronic OCLC #

758358057

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