New low-energy data that can identify a wide range of objects and cannot be detected

[Wise Young]

This is an interesting invention by Ohio researcher Eric K. Walton. It is a radar that can distinguish between a wide range of objects and cannot be readily detected by traditional radar detectors.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20060528012331data_trunc_sys.shtml

As I understand it, this radar device sends out random low intensity radar signals across the entire radar bandwidth. Because standard radar detectors (which are essentially radios) are designed to look for a coherent and single frequency signal, the signal of this radar would look like "noise" and therefore would not be detectable. Because it emits signals of a wide range of frequencies, it not only can penetrate objects of different sizes and shapes but would be able to detect a wide range of sizes and shapes of objects that reflect its signals, including moving objects. Ingenious idea, in my opinion.

In theory, this can be used for medical purposes. As described, the principle could be applied to a wide variety of signals from sonar to x-rays. Objects of different sizes and shapes would reflect certain frequencies. Although the transmission signal may be random, they are not random to the computer that is interpreting the signals. This radar should also be able to detect the proximity of close-by objects, the surface characteristics of the objects.

Wise.

[DJA]

This is an interesting invention by Ohio researcher Eric K. Walton. It is a radar that can distinguish between a wide range of objects and cannot be readily detected by traditional radar detectors.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20060528012331data_trunc_sys.shtml

As I understand it, this radar device sends out random low intensity radar signals across the entire radar bandwidth. Because standard radar detectors (which are essentially radios) are designed to look for a coherent and single frequency signal, the signal of this radar would look like "noise" and therefore would not be detectable. Because it emits signals of a wide range of frequencies, it not only can penetrate objects of different sizes and shapes but would be able to detect a wide range of sizes and shapes of objects that reflect its signals, including moving objects. Ingenious idea, in my opinion.

In theory, this can be used for medical purposes. As described, the principle could be applied to a wide variety of signals from sonar to x-rays. Objects of different sizes and shapes would reflect certain frequencies. Although the transmission signal may be random, they are not random to the computer that is interpreting the signals. This radar should also be able to detect the proximity of close-by objects, the surface characteristics of the objects.

Wise.

Szymon Rusinkiewicz, (http://www.cs.princeton.edu/%7Esmr/) of Princeton's Computer Sci Dept, also does very interesting (somewhat related) work in digitizing 3d shape of real objects. While his algorithms are not radar based, he uses more readily available realistic depth cue inherent to all 3d objects (i.e., reflected light & shading,). Here's an example of ' (http://www.cs.princeton.edu/%7Esmr/papers/rt_model/)3D model acquisition system that permits the user to rotate an object by hand and see a continuously-updated model as the object is scanned.' (http://www.cs.princeton.edu/%7Esmr/papers/rt_model/)
This is quite a feate to formulate an algorithm to detect an object's invariant shape properties while the image properties are undergoing contstant change (something humans are very good but, at least in the recent past, has been a very tough computer sci problem. Szymon is giving a talk on 'Exaggerated Shading for Depicting Shape and Detail (http://www.cs.princeton.edu/gfx/pubs/Rusinkiewicz_2006_ESF/index.php)' next Monday at 1:30 over in Bush-Psychology (Rm 101). (http://ruccs.rutgers.edu/ruccs/talks_vision.php)
Other's in his group are also doing what they refer to as 'data-driven' appearance models. (http://www.cs.princeton.edu/gfx/proj/appear/)' I imagine some of this work will have interesting medical applications for example in improving detection of info in x-rays & other diagnostic images. Nice to see these rapid advances in technology..