System modelling of a real-time passive millimeter-wave imager to be used for base security and helicopter navigation in degraded visual environments

This paper discusses the design of an improved passive millimeter wave imaging system intended to be used for military forward operating base security in degraded visual environments. A simple end-to-end model of such an imager is described, including a simple scene model based on transformations applied to visible and infrared imagery, optical aberrations, focal plane sampling, scan conversion, receiver performance and image processing algorithms. The use of such a model as a design tool is discussed, especially with regard to optimizing scan conversion and image processing algorithms. The expected performance of the latest imager design is predicted.