IEEE Std N42.59-2024 PDF

Full title and description

IEEE Standard for Measuring the Imaging Performance of Active Millimeter-Wave Systems for Security Screening of Humans — establishes test objects, measurement methods, and reporting practices for evaluating the imaging performance of active millimeter‑wave (MMW) radio‑frequency systems used to screen people for objects carried on the body (not inside vehicles, containers, or enclosures).

Abstract

This standard specifies standard test objects, experimental setups, image acquisition conditions, metrics, and reporting formats to characterize imaging quality (for example spatial resolution, contrast, detectability, and repeatability) of active MMW security‑screening systems and to provide comparable results for acceptance testing, procurement, research, and automated threat‑recognition (ATR) validation. The primary focus is on objective measures of image quality that affect the reliability of ATR and human interpretation.

General information

• Status: Active standard (approved by the IEEE Standards Board and listed as current by IEEE SA).
• Publication date: Officially published by IEEE on April 23, 2025 (IEEE designation N42.59‑2024 reflects the working/approval cycle; see committee approvals in late 2024).
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Instrumentation & Measurement Society / TC45 (Radiation and Nuclear Instrumentation and Systems).
• ICS / categories: Protection against crime (ICS 13.310) — security screening and imaging performance testing.
• Edition / version: IEEE Std N42.59‑2024 (first published edition following the 2024 approval cycle).
• Number of pages: Approximately 110 pages (published PDF length reported as ~110 pages in commercial standards catalogs).

Scope

The scope covers active millimeter‑wave imaging systems intended for screening people (pedestrians, queue screening, checkpoint scenarios) to detect objects carried on the body. It defines standard test objects (resolution targets, contrast objects, anthropomorphic phantoms), measurement geometries, environmental and acquisition conditions, image quality metrics (spatial resolution, contrast, signal‑to‑noise/detectability), test procedures, data reporting formats, and recommended acceptance/characterization practices to enable objective, repeatable evaluation across devices, test laboratories, and procurement programs. The standard does not address vehicle/cargo screening nor does it replace regulatory RF‑exposure safety requirements; it is focused on imaging performance metrics and test methodology.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions of standard test objects and anthropomorphic phantoms for MMW imaging characterization.
• Measurement methods for spatial resolution, modulation transfer, and contrast/detail detectability.
• Procedures to quantify detectability and signal‑to‑noise metrics relevant to automated threat recognition and human interpretation.
• Acquisition geometries, environmental controls, and repeatability/reproducibility test protocols.
• Standardized reporting formats and recommended data elements to support procurement, acceptance testing, and device lifecycle verification.
• Guidance for test laboratory setup, calibration checks, and how to record test conditions that affect imaging performance.

Typical use and users

Primary users include security‑screening equipment manufacturers, test and evaluation laboratories, airport/transportation security procurement offices, regulatory and standards organizations, research institutions, and organizations responsible for operational acceptance and periodic verification of MMW screening fleets. The standard supports procurement specifications, acceptance testing, performance benchmarking, R&D validation, and ATR algorithm evaluation.

Related standards

Related documents and standards include other IEEE/ANSI N42 series standards addressing radiation and detection instrument test methods and data formats (for example N42.42 for data formats and other N42.x standards for instrument performance), recent N42.x performance standards for portable detectors, and DHS/NIST technical capability or test protocol documents used in screening program evaluation. Users typically combine N42.59 test methods with broader procurement and safety standards when evaluating systems.

Keywords

millimeter‑wave, MMW imaging, security screening, imaging performance, test objects, phantoms, spatial resolution, detectability, automated threat recognition, measurement methods, image quality metrics, test procedures.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is IEEE Std N42.59 (designated N42.59‑2024) — a standards document that specifies test objects, measurement procedures, metrics, and reporting formats to evaluate imaging performance of active millimeter‑wave security‑screening systems for humans.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers objective imaging‑performance characterization: resolution, contrast, detectability, repeatability, standardized test objects and phantoms, acquisition setups, and reporting formats used for acceptance testing, R&D, and ATR validation for systems that inspect people (not vehicles or cargo). It does not replace RF‑safety or radiation‑exposure regulations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test laboratories, procurement and operational security agencies (airports, transportation security), researchers, and organizations responsible for device acceptance and lifecycle verification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published by IEEE SA, the document is current/active (approved in late 2024 and published in April 2025). There is no indication it has been superseded as of the publication record. Check IEEE SA listings for any later revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the broader ANSI/IEEE N42 family of standards covering radiation and detection instrument performance, test methods, and data formats; N42.59 focuses specifically on MMW imaging performance for human security screening.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Millimeter‑wave, imaging performance, test objects, phantoms, spatial resolution, detectability, automated threat recognition, security screening.