With PRT focusing on products to detect concealed weapons and threats, what are the main technologies and IP being used in your products?

The main technologies being used for our shoe-scanner and sensor products are microwave and mmWave imaging and radar techniques.

You seem to have some personal interest in public security - what is your background in wireless technology?

I have been personally involved in microwave and mmWave technologies for 38 years. The applications range from radar/imaging systems to full wireless communication systems in both the microwave and mmWave spectrum. We led the first 60 GHz radio link developments back in the late 1990’s and were the first to obtain an FCC Part 15 certification in the US.

How are your products different than those already available in airports and other facilities?

Our products (such as the shoescanner and MiRIAD X1) complement what is available today in current airports and other facilities (such as prisons and border crossings). We are using the latest state of the art imaging and sensor technologies to advance the security beyond the main checkpoint and out to the perimeter where very little security exists.

There are many larger companies providing security products to these markets, what makes PRT unique and able to compete in this area?

Our Novel IP and newly developed systems using the latest technology enhancements.

How are you working with universities to leverage technology and IP developed in academia?

We have academic teams in the UK at both Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Chichester. These teams of PhD’s and research scientist are working closely with PRT to develop the latest sensor and imaging technologies.

Your MIRIAD is a compact, RF sensor package that is specifically designed for use on UAVs – what is unique from a hardware and software point of view?

Most importantly is the SWAP (Size/Weight and Power). These sensors must be very small in size and weight to permit longer flight times on smaller/mobile search & rescue drones. The software development is geared toward a very simple GUI (Graphical User Interface) so operators do not have to make difficult decisions when detecting threat versus no-threat. AI is being used to increase the probability of detection for the various sensor payloads that we have planned for the Drone platform.

What technologies and IP are used in your shoe scanner to detect threats and realize 3D imaging?

Very simple, microwave and mmWave imaging using a scanning platform with a horn or planar antenna. We analyze the return radar signals and create a 3D image of the shoe from the bottom looking up into the construction of the various shoes.

Your Wi-Ti product uses Wi-Fi signals in the environment to detect concealed items – how are you able to accomplish that and what applications are you addressing?

We measure the differences of the radar cross-section of humans with and without threats in unstructured crowds such as malls, events, transportation hubs and other crowded environments.

What other applications are you addressing other than threat detection?

One of the main benefits of mmWaves are its penetration through clothing but also through other materials such as paint and in DVE (Degraded Visual Environments). This allows the same Threat detection sensors to be used in numerous other applications such as aircraft landing in all weather conditions, non-destructive testing for corrosion and cracks in infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, dams, wind turbines, oil/gas pipeline inspection.

When do you expect to bring products to market?

We are currently in the process of manufacturing multiple scanners for planned demonstrations to identified customers in the next few months.