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Millimeter Wave

Whole Body Imaging

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin testing millimeter wave passenger imaging technology at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) as a voluntary alternative to a pat-down during secondary screening. In a matter of seconds, this technology can detect weapons, explosives and other threat items concealed under layers of clothing without physical contact.

How the Technology Works

• Beams of radio frequency (RF) energy in the millimeter wave spectrum are projected over the body’s surface at high speed from two antennas simultaneously as they rotate around the body
• The RF energy reflected back from the body or other objects on the body is used to construct a three-dimensional image
• The three-dimensional image of the body, with facial features blurred for privacy, is displayed on a remote monitor for analysis

• Each passenger will walk into the millimeter wave portal. Once inside, they will be asked to stand in two different positions and remain still for just a few moments while the technology creates a three-dimensional image of the passenger in real time
• Once complete, the passenger will exit the opposite side of the millimeter wave portal
• Images will be deleted immediately once viewed and will never be stored, transmitted or printed (the passenger imaging units have zero storage capability)

What TSA Sees

• Millimeter wave technology produces images which are viewed by a Transportation Security Officer in a remote location

• Metallic or non-metallic devices and objects are displayed, including weapons, explosives and other items that a passenger is carrying on his/her person

Safety

• For comparison, the energy projected by the system is 10,000 times less than a cell phone transmission
• We, and all objects around us, generate millimeter wave energy - and we are exposed to it every single day of our lives

Other Millimeter Wave deployments

• Millimeter wave technology is currently being utilized in various government locations across the United States, as well as international aviation and mass transit environments – such as:
  
  Domestic locations
  • Federal Court House (VA)
  • Colorado Springs Court House (CO)
  • Department of Corrections facility (PA)
  • Los Angeles County Court House (CA)
  • Cook County Court House (IL)
  
  International airports
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Mexico
  • Thailand
  • Netherlands