The ability to obtain reconstructed floor maps of acceptable quality with less samples speeds up the acquisition phase, which is of the highest relevance for most radio-frequency (RF)-based through-the-wall mapping (TWM) applications, particularly in the area of law enforcement and security. The key issue impacting the acquisition time is the quantity of necessary samples for acceptable floor reconstruction quality, which in turn depends on the intersample distance. We evaluate the impact of enlarging the intersample distance in the reconstruction quality of an algebraic method applied to RF-based TWM, under a parallel-beam acquisition geometry. Finite-element method (FEM) is used to define a physical model, allowing high accuracy in the simulation results. Two test floor maps are built in the FEM model, and the correspondent very-high frequency RF samples are generated in each case, composing the so-called sinograms. The sinograms are forwarded to the algebraic reconstruction method—simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique—to provide estimates of the original floor maps. In simulations, the use of sinogram upsampling to improve image resolution leads to floor maps of acceptable reconstruction quality in a parallel-beam RF-based TWM setup with intersample distances up to two wavelengths for an angular step of 4.5 deg.
KEYWORDS: Finite element methods, Antennas, Sensors, Chemical elements, Reconstruction algorithms, Image quality, Receivers, Radio propagation, Reflectors, Digital filtering
Radiofrequency (RF) through-the-wall mapping (TWM) employs techniques originally applied in x-ray computerized tomographic imaging to map obstacles behind walls. It aims to provide valuable information for rescuing efforts in damaged buildings, as well as for military operations in urban scenarios. This work defines a finite-element method (FEM) based framework to allow fast and accurate simulations of the reconstruction of floor blueprints, using very high-frequency signals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of FEM in a TWM scenario. This framework allows quick evaluation of different algorithms without the need to assemble a full test setup, which might not be available due to budgetary and time constraints. Using this, the present work evaluates a collection of reconstruction methods under a parallel-beam acquisition geometry for different spatial sampling rates, number of projections, antenna gains, and operational frequencies. This work also proposes a multisensor circular acquisition geometry, which is expected to reduce acquisition time and thus enable the detection of floor layout changes (e.g., the opening and closing of a door). Considering all the drawbacks associated with such a complex problem, a robust and reliable computational setup based on a flexible method, such as FEM, can be very useful.
Radiofrequency (RF) Through-the-Wall Mapping (TWM) employs techniques originally applied in X-Ray Computerized Tomographic Imaging to map obstacles behind walls. It aims to provide valuable information for rescuing efforts in damaged buildings, as well as for military operations in urban scenarios. This work defines a Finite Element Method (FEM) based framework to allow fast and accurate simulations of the reconstruction of floors blueprints, using Ultra High-Frequency (UHF) signals at three different frequencies (500 MHz, 1 GHz and 2 GHz). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of FEM in a TWM scenario. This framework allows quick evaluation of different algorithms without the need to assemble a full test setup, which might not be available due to budgetary and time constraints. Using this, the present work evaluates a collection of reconstruction methods (Filtered Backprojection Reconstruction, Direct Fourier Reconstruction, Algebraic Reconstruction and Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction) under a parallel-beam acquisition geometry for different spatial sampling rates, number of projections, antenna gains and operational frequencies. The use of multiple frequencies assesses the trade-off between higher resolution at shorter wavelengths and lower through-the-wall penetration. Considering all the drawbacks associated with such a complex problem, a robust and reliable computational setup based on a flexible method such as FEM can be very useful.
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