A Fast 3D Near Range Imaging Algorithm for a Scanning Sparse MIMO Array in the Millimeter Band

Millimeter-wave technology has been widely used in near range targets imaging scenarios, such as mechanical scanning and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) array imaging. Emerging scanning array regimes increase the need for fast-speed and high-quality imaging techniques, which, however, are often subject to specific array positions. Moreover, the relationship between array positions and the imaging performance is not clear, which leads to no uniform standard for array design. In this paper, a series of array configurations are designed to explore the impact of different array positions on the cross-range imaging performance. Meanwhile, a novel fast fully focused imaging algorithm with wavenumber domain properties is presented, which is not constrained by the positions of the transmitters and receivers. Simulation and experimental results show that, compared with a conventional algorithm, the proposed algorithm has a faster imaging speed under the same imagining quality. This study provides a feasible method for fast fully focused imaging in the case of location-constrained MIMO arrays, or partially damaged transceivers.