Facility

Engineering Development Laboratory

Home to the millimeter-wave imaging technology that keeps our airports and air travel safe

PNNL’s millimeter-wave imaging technology, conducted in the EDL, uses radio waves in the millimeter spectrum to safely penetrate clothing and reflect off body-worn concealed threats. According to commercial partner Leidos, the systems have been used to scan more than 100 million airline passengers worldwide.

PNNL’s millimeter-wave imaging technology, conducted in the EDL, uses radio waves in the millimeter spectrum to safely penetrate clothing and reflect off body-worn concealed threats. According to commercial partner Leidos, the systems have been used to scan more than 100 million airline passengers worldwide.

(Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

The events of 9/11 transformed airport security, bringing not only tighter regulations and increased security measures but also technological advances that make our airports and air travel safer. Scientists and engineers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have been pioneering first-of-a-kind, high-resolution, wideband holographic imaging systems for over 30 years—technology that has been applied to several applications, including the millimeter-wave imaging systems used in airports, to ground penetrating radar, and improvised explosive device detection systems.

Much of this research is performed at PNNL’s Engineering Development Laboratory (EDL) facility. Dedicated exclusively to national security missions, EDL is well-equipped with radiofrequency (RF), microwave, and millimeter-wave test equipment, including transceivers, linear and nonlinear vector network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.

This specialized PNNL facility enables end-to-end research capabilities such as:

  • Advanced prototype development
  • Algorithm development
  • Modeling and simulation
  • Antenna design
  • Radiofrequency/Microwave design
  • Electronic/printed circuit board design
  • Tests and measurement

The workspaces within EDL include multiple electronics laboratories dedicated to national security missions, as well as dedicated precision surface mount technology fabrication equipment that can be used during test and integration activities.

Learn more about the Engineering Development Laboratory (Video: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)