MIT radar gives real-time video through concrete walls

MIT researchers have developed a new radar technology that gives real-time video of what’s going on behind solid walls from up to 60 feet away.

While existing through-wall systems have delivered images at a snail's pace, the new device offers video at 10.8 frames per second. "If you’re in a high-risk combat situation, you don’t want one image every 20 minutes, and you don’t want to have to stand right next to a potentially dangerous building," says project leader Gregory Charvat.


The device consists of an array of antennas arranged into two rows — eight receiving elements on top, 13 transmitting ones below — and some computing equipment, all mounted onto a movable cart.


It uses S-band waves, which have about the same, fairly short, wavelength as wireless internet. That means more signal loss — creating a need for amplifiers — but means the actual radar device can be kept to about eight and a half feet long, and can thus be vehicle-mounted.





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Combat situations? Ya right!