Radar Camera for Large Format Photography

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the feasibility of creating a radar camera for large format photography, specifically using an 8x10 inch negative size plate as an antenna with a continuous wave (CW) radio transmitter. Mustafa Umut Sarac inquires about the potential of utilizing a 40-meter CW transmitter and receiver for horizontal panoramic imaging. Key insights reveal that radar wavelengths, ranging from 1 cm to 1.5 m, necessitate a significantly larger camera size compared to visible light cameras, which operate at wavelengths between 380 to 740 nanometers. Consequently, while a radar camera could be constructed, it would yield much lower resolution images, as demonstrated by radar mapping of Venus, which achieves a resolution of approximately 2 miles per pixel.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radar technology and its applications
  • Knowledge of continuous wave (CW) radio transmission
  • Familiarity with large format photography concepts
  • Basic principles of electromagnetic wavelengths
NEXT STEPS
  • Research radar imaging techniques and their applications in photography
  • Explore the design and construction of radar antennas for imaging
  • Study the differences between radar wavelengths and visible light wavelengths
  • Investigate the use of radar for planetary mapping and its resolution capabilities
USEFUL FOR

Photographers interested in experimental imaging techniques, engineers exploring radar technology, and researchers studying the intersection of photography and electromagnetic waves.

Mustafa Umut
Messages
31
Reaction score
1
Large Format Photograph Machines usually uses 8x10 inches size negative. Can I make a radar large format camera with using similar or bigger size plate as antenna and when transmitter was a cw radio transmitter ? I know only need of mixing transmitted to received.

If this does not work , can I use a 40 meter cw transmitter and receiver when antenna layed horizontal and take a narrow strip of panaroma.

Is there a chance or is it out of question ?

Thank you ,

Mustafa Umut Sarac

Istanbul
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
No. The wavelength of the radiation determines the size of the aperture and thus the camera. Radar wavelengths range from 1cm to 1.5m. Visible light wavelengths range from 380 to 740 nanometers. So a radar camera would need to be about 1 billion times bigger than a light camera.
 
Note that on the other side of the coin, you could just make a much lower resolution camera and/or image. Radar was used to see through the clouds of Venus and map its surface, for example:

PIA00160_410.jpg


http://sci.esa.int/venus-express/50372-radar-map-of-venus-surface/
The full resolution version of that image has a resolution of about 2 miles per pixel.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: anorlunda

Similar threads

Camera Lens works as a Polarizer or not?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Feasibility of Sending a Radio Signal Detectable from a Neighboring Star
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad Simulate other lenses with Time of Flight (ToF) camera
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
RadioInstigator: Building a SIGINT
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Graduate Big Bang Big Schmang, astronomical redshift is an artifact of distance
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K