Vital sign detection using short-range mm-wave pulsed wave radar

Abstract

Proximity sensors have been improving fast during the last decades. Using a radiation source and examining the reflected signal, it is possible to investigate the surrounding environment without contact. The mm-wave RADAR systems demonstrate tremendous potential compared to the other proximity sensing options, which are based on sound or light waves. In this study, a 60 GHz RADAR system was used for vital sign detection, such as respiration and heartbeat rate. The potential of the system in measuring through the materials was investigated in different transmission scenarios. Three different algorithms were tested for extracting the phase information, and a standard heartbeat rate measurement device compared the accuracy of the results. The proposed algorithm can scan the area in the RADAR field of view and obtain remarkable features like the heartbeat rate with a median accuracy of 96.22%.