Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
MIT's Microwave Camera Sees Through Walls
MIT's Microwave Camera project can see through walls.
(MIT's microwave camera sees through walls)
Visible light has a wavelength between 390nm and 700nm, while our camera sees between 2.5cm and 4cm (much larger). While classical radar-imaging devices can perform these tasks, they do so with highly complex systems which are out of the reach of the consumer. We introduce a radar imaging architecture which makes imaging at these long wavelengths more accessible, while enabling all of the following:
- higher resolution imaging
- all of the electronics constrained to a small 10” x 10” space
- Fewer detectors necessary
- Better detection of specular (mirror-like) surfaces
- Multi-spectral imaging
- Time-resolved imaging (capturing Microwaves in flight)
The aim of our work is not just to detect objects, but also to form images in 3D. There are many advantages to being able to see how many limbs a person has and how tall they are; not just in what general area they are located. In order to image at such large wavelengths, sensors must cover a very large aperture at a high enough density to sufficiently sample the reflected waves (and prevent aliasing). Classical radar setups utilize hundreds of thousands of sensors to cover a large aperture at an appropriate density.
The future of commercial systems cannot rely on such large setups because they are difficult to produce and handle. Instead of spreading our electronics across the entire aperture, we focus all of our electronics to a 10” x 10” space, and use a large passive reflector to focus the reflected energy to this small area. Our setup enables higher resolution radar imaging by covering a large aperture with a passive-element, and constraining all of the electronics to a small focal plane. This architecture is useful for situations where many electronics are focused to a small area (such as a chip), since all that is necessary to increase the resolution of the device is to introduce a passive lens.
The microwave camera can image at wavelengths which easily penetrate drywall and plywood.
EE 'Doc' Smith imagined a similar idea more than eighty years ago in his 1934 novel Triplanetary:
The silent voice ceased, the watch upon Clio's wrist again became an unobtrusive timepiece, and Costigan, in his solitary cell far below her tower room, turned his peculiarly goggled eyes toward other scenes. In his pockets his hands manipulated tiny controls, and through the lenses of those goggles Costigan's keen and highly-trained eyes studied every concealed detail of mechanism of the great globe, the while he planned what must be done. Finally, he took off the goggles and spoke in a low voice to Bradley, confined in another windowless room across the hall."I think I've got dope enough, Captain. I've found out where he put our armor and guns, and I've located all the main leads, controls, and generators. There are no ether-walls around us here, but every door is shielded, and there are guards outside our doors--one to each of us..."
Costigan picked up the projector, again donned his spy-ray goggles, and the two hurried on.
(Read more about the spy ray goggles)
Take a look at four more real-life technologies to see through walls.
Via MIT.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/9/2015)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Surveillance ")
LingYuan Vehicle Roof Drones Now Available, ala Blade Runner 2049
Accompanied by a small selection of similar ideas from science fiction.
Chameleon Personalized Privacy Protection Mask
'...the Virtual Epiphantic Identity Lustre.' - Neal Stephenson, 2019.
Spherical Police Robot Rolls In China
'Rand could effectively be in several places at once...' - Niven and Pournelle, 1981.
Vietnam To Have Full Biometric Transparency
'inscriptions too small to be seen with the naked eye; microscopic data...' - Eric Frank Russell, 1939.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Replace The Smartphone With A Connected Edge Node For AI Inference
'Buy a Little Dingbat... electropen, wrist watch, pocketphone, pocket radio, billfold ... all in one.'
Artificial Skin For Robots Is Coming Right Along
'... an elastic, tinted material that had all the feel and appearance of human flesh and epidermis.'
Robot Guard Dog On Duty
I might also be thinking of K-9 from Doctor Who.
Wearable Artificial Fabric Muscles
'It is remarkable that the long leverages of their machines are in most cases actuated by a sort of sham musculature...'
BrainBridge Concept Transplant Of Human Head Proposed
'Briquet’s head seemed to think that to find and attach a new body to her head was as easy as to fit and sew a new dress.'
Google's Nano Banana Pro Presents Handwritten Math Solutions
'...copy was turned out in a charming and entirely feminine handwriting.'
Edible Meat-Like Fungus Like Barbara Hambly's Slunch?
'It was almost unheard of for slunch to spread that fast...'
Sunday Robotics 'Memo' Bot Has Unique Training Glove
'He then started hand movements of definite pattern...'
Woman Marries Computer, Vonnegut's Dream Comes True
'Men are made of protoplasm... Lasts forever.'
Natural Gait With Prosthetic Connected To Nervous System
'The leg was to function, in a way, as a servo-mechanism operated by Larry’s brain...'
Spidery 'Walk Me' Toyota Autonomous Wheel Chair Like Star Wars
Walk along with the emperor.
Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves
'A clockwork figure would be the thing for you...'
Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
'Who are you people? - Show 'em.'
Indonesian Clans Battle
'The observation vehicle was of that peculiar variety used in conveying a large number of people across rough terrain.'
The 'Last Mile' In China Crowded With Delivery Robots
Yes, it's a delivery robot. On wheels.
Tornyol Microdrone Kills Mosquitoes
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.'
