Microwave computational imaging: Simplifying RF architectures with cavities and metasurfaces

Overview & Synopsis

In this talk, we present a review of new computational imaging systems developed in the microwave range. Significant simplifications of RF architectures are achieved in this context by leveraging dispersive cavities and radiating metasurfaces. These coding devices allow for the all-electronic multiplexing of the transmitted and received waves using frequency diversity without any mechanically moving parts or active circuitry, minimizing the data acquisition time and the redundancy of burdensome active chains in radar systems.We first introduce the framework and the origins of microwave computational imaging and the associated proofs of concept proposed independently by our two institutions. Then, an overview of existing works in various domains is proposed for highlighting the strong potential of this technology for modern applications. In recent efforts, the scientific community has notably been focused on the development of high-resolution imaging systems applied to concealed threat detection. This talk will thus feature prototypes of UWB MIMO radars [1] and array imaging systems [2], and the associated computational challenges will be presented.