CAREER: Time-domain Forward and Inverse Scattering Techniques for Ultrawideband Remote Sensing

Ohio State University Research Foundation -Do Not Use, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

Microwave ground penetrating radar can detect landmines, locate underground pipes and identify subsurface defects in runways. Millimeter-waves can penetrate through non-conductive walls and clothing, and many packaging. Remote sensing systems based on millimeter waves allow detection of contraband, plastic explosives, and ceramic weapons, while providing good image identification and resolution. Because microwaves and mm-waves can also better penetrate through dust, fog, and smoke, they are useful in battlefield scenarios, terrorist attack responses, and fire rescue operations. In this project, we will study and develop new time-domain inversion techniques that exploit fundamental aspects of ultra-wideband (UWB) scattering and propagation in random (disordered) media. UWB remote sensing systems are attractive because they take advantage of operation at both lower (more penetration into lossy materials) and higher frequencies (larger resolution), and are more immune to both atmospheric and multipath interference effects. The new imaging and detection techniques will utilize time-reversal synthetic back-propagation to achieve super-resolution, time-domain statistical stability, and selective focusing of UWB signals in disordered media. We will also develop new time-domain forward solvers for UWB wave propagation in random media. The resulting forward solvers will allow the simulation of virtual scenes of increasingly realistic remote sensing scenarios and with increased geometric fidelity and numerical accuracy, thus allowing for better synthetic discrimination of UWB weak scattering mechanisms and improved overall efficiency of inverse scattering algorithms. The above research objectives are integrated with an educational component aimed at developing a strong interdisciplinary program for engineering students. At the undergraduate level, it will involve the curricular revision and improvement of undergraduate courses, and the introduction of undergraduate early research experiences aligned with the above research objectives. At the graduate level, this project will develop two new graduate courses, and will involve graduate students on all aspects of this project.