Techniques for imaging a search region to detect a dielectric target
include placing multiple electrodes outside the search region. At least
two electrodes are activated independently of each other. Emitter
circuits are connected to corresponding emitter electrodes. Each emitter
circuit is configured for using its emitter electrode to produce an
electric field with wavelength longer than about one hundred meters.
Receiver circuits are connected to corresponding receiver electrodes.
Each receiver circuit is configured for using its receiver electrode to
measure a property of an electric field produced, at least in part, by an
emitter electrode. A processor determines a property of a dielectric
target inside the search region based on measurements from the receiver
circuits using a subset of the emitter circuits. Among other uses, these
techniques allow humans to be detected inside building-size regions, even
when hidden by visually opaque blocking material of small dielectric
constant.