Science and Millimeter Wave FAQs

What are Millimeter Waves (MMW)?

Millimeter waves are naturally occurring forms of electromagnetic wave energy ranging from approximately 30 GHZ to 300 GHZ, or 10 mm to 1 mm in wavelength.

What are passive Millimeter Waves (MMW)?

Brijot’s GEN 2^® product is a passive MMW system and does not generate or emit energy of any type. In much the same way a CCD system “sees” the light waves reflected by bodies and objects, the Brijot MMW system “sees” by receiving the MMW energy that is generated by bodies and objects in its field of view.

What are active Millimeter Waves (MMW)?

Active MMW systems generate and transmit energy to the subject, similar to radar, sonar and x‐rays.

How do the Millimeter Waves (MMW) compare to the X‐rays, Gamma rays, etc?

MMW wavelengths are large relative to the microstructure of most materials, millimeter waves tend to pass through most materials such as clothing whereas light, infrared waves, X‐rays and Gamma rays (which have much smaller wavelengths) are not able to pass through many of these same materials.

What are the advantages of the GEN 2 Passive Millimeter Wave (PMMW) system?

Emits no radiation or energy of any kind.
Does not require subject cooperation.
Images 5‐9 feet away, providing standoff threat detection.
Images only differences in the millimeter wave density of objects. The image shown on the system does not display details of a person's form, which helps protect the person's privacy.
Minimizes image “clutter” which assists in the elimination of false positives and improves the identification of actual threats.
Reduces installation engineering. Unlike active MMW systems, passive MMW systems do not have an illumination component to calculate, consider, and calibrate.
Reduces operation and service support costs. Active systems require highly trained personnel for daily operation and daily support/calibration.
System size, power and cost are magnitudes lower for the GEN 2 system versus any known active system.
Provides a mode with object indication combined with full-motion video to pinpoint suspicious objects.

What are the disadvantages of active systems?

Must radiate/illuminate the target.
Can only see where “illuminator” is pointing. Accuracy of radiation emitter is imperative to system performance.
Active systems only have “snapshot” capabilities, requiring the radiated subject to stand still or hold a position.
Requires personnel to gain the cooperation of the target.
Images only “inches” away. The subject must be properly positioned a few inches from the system for imaging.
Images everything on subject, resulting in image "clutter" and requiring a greater level of sophistication (by the human operator or software application) to identify objects.
Sees virtually everything, including the nuances of the human body.
Initial cost plus operational cost very high compared to GEN 2 passive system.