Millimeter-Wave Radar Heartbeat Tracking with Adaptive Kalman Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently tracking vital signs, such as heartbeat rates, due to the small amplitude of heartbeat signals being overshadowed by larger movements and noise, particularly in environments with random body movements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a millimeter-wave radar system with a bandpass filter to generate a displacement signal, followed by a Kalman filter to track and update the heartbeat rate, and adaptively adjust the bandpass filter settings based on the Kalman filter's track, effectively filtering out noise and stabilizing heartbeat rate measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bandpass filter is used to extract heartbeat signals from radar displacement data, then the heartbeat rate can be determined, but the small amplitude heartbeat signals are overshadowed by larger movements and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheartbeat rate measurement accuracyVSAvoidnoise and random body movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bandpass filter parameters (center frequency and bandwidth) are dynamically adjusted based on the tracked heartbeat rate from the Kalman filter, allowing the filter to adapt to changing heartbeat conditions and maintain optimal signal extraction performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The Kalman filter provides feedback by tracking the heartbeat rate over time and using this information to update the bandpass filter settings, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes signal extraction while filtering out noise and random movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the bandpass filter range is narrowed to improve heartbeat frequency precision, then measurement accuracy improves, but the filter may exclude valid heartbeat signals with frequency variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheartbeat frequency precisionVSAvoidfilter adaptability to frequency variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter transition bandwidth is set to a dynamic value that adapts to the tracked heartbeat rate, allowing the filter to maintain precise frequency selection while accommodating natural variations in heartbeat frequency through the adaptive tracking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a Kalman filter is used to track heartbeat rate over time, then stability and accuracy improve, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheartbeat rate tracking stabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Kalman filter uses a simplified state model that tracks only the heartbeat rate parameter, reducing computational complexity while maintaining tracking stability through efficient parameter estimation and prediction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves high accuracy in heartbeat rate determination with minimal jumps, even in the presence of random body movements, by adaptively narrowing the bandpass filter range and centering it on the heartbeat frequency, thus improving the precision and stability of vital sign monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a frequency modulated signal, receiving a reflection of the frequency modulated signal (also referred to as the echo), and determining a distance based on a time delay and/or frequency difference between the transmission and reception

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

determining a distance based on a time delay and/or frequency difference between the transmission and reception of the frequency modulated signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3869222B1Radar vital signal tracking using a kalman filter
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3869222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3869222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869222B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving reflected radar signals with a millimeter-wave radar; generating a displacement signal indicative of a displacement of a target based on the reflected radar signals; filtering the displacement signal using a bandpass filter to generate a filtered displacement signal; determining a first rate indicative of a heartbeat rate of the target based on the filtered displacement signal; tracking a second rate indicative of the heartbeat rate of the target with a track using a Kalman filter; updating the track based on the first rate; and updating a setting of the bandpass filter based on the updated track.