Towards Turning Smartphones Into mmWave Scanners

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the possibilities of using current and incoming fifth generation (5G) devices as millimeter wave (mmWave) imagers. For this purpose, previous works about freehand scanning with compact devices working at mmWave frequencies are herein extended. In particular, a new tracking unit is now attached to the scanning device so the main parts of the freehand imager, namely the radiofrequency (RF) and tracking subsystems, become portable and not depend on external systems. Specifically, this work illustrates the possibilities of 5G devices working at the mmWave band as imagers. Results supporting that the embedded tracking unit provides enough accuracy are described and compared with an accurate reference system. The impact of the final image is also considered revealing that the shape of imaged objects can be easily identified.