Multi-Target Vital Sign Detection via Millimeter Wave Range Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vital sign detection systems are limited to close-range detection of a single target organism and cannot simultaneously detect return signals from multiple targets at different distances, making it impossible to monitor respiratory and heart rates of multiple individuals simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multi-target vital sign detection system that uses a transmitter to send millimeter wave signals and a receiver to capture reflected signals, with a processor that generates signal strength versus distance data, performs an extreme value reserving process, and applies a peak search algorithm to determine peak distances, allowing for the detection of vital signs from multiple targets by generating a distance array and performing a vital sign detection algorithm on peak values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single radar device is used for vital sign detection, then the device complexity is reduced and tolerance for large displacement is improved, but the system can only detect a single target at close range and cannot simultaneously detect multiple targets at different distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into distinct stages: signal transmission, echo reception, range profile generation, peak detection, and vital sign extraction. By dividing the complex multi-target detection task into manageable segments, the system can handle multiple targets at different distances while maintaining reasonable device complexity. Each segment processes specific aspects of the signal, allowing parallel processing of multiple targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the distance dimension by generating range profiles that display signal strength versus distance. This dimensional transformation allows the system to distinguish between multiple targets at different distances simultaneously. The range profile adds a spatial dimension (distance) to the detection, enabling multi-target separation without requiring multiple radar devices.
2Measurement precision
If conventional radar detection is used for multiple targets, then more radar devices are needed to detect targets at different distances, but this increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single radar device universal by enabling it to detect multiple targets at different distances through range profile analysis. The same radar hardware that detects vital signs also generates distance information, allowing one device to perform the function of multiple devices would otherwise be needed. The range profile generation process extracts both distance and vital sign information from the same signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the range profile as an intermediary representation between the raw radar echo and the final vital sign detection. The range profile serves as a mediator that organizes signal strength information by distance, making it easier to identify multiple targets and their respective positions. This intermediary structure simplifies the detection process and improves distance resolution without adding hardware complexity.
3Productivity
If signal processing is performed on all received signals, then complete information is obtained, but the processing time and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant information from the received signals by generating range profiles that highlight signal strength at different distances. Instead of processing all signal data equally, the system extracts the most important features (peak signal strengths at specific distances) and focuses computational resources on these extracted elements. This extraction approach maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing by focusing computational effort on identifying peak values in the range profile rather than analyzing every aspect of the signal. The system performs sufficient processing to detect vital signs accurately but avoids excessive processing of irrelevant signal portions. This selective processing maintains productivity while preserving necessary detection accuracy.
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
Enables the simultaneous detection and calculation of respiratory and heart rates of multiple targets by analyzing signal strength and phase changes, effectively overcoming the limitations of existing systems in detecting multiple targets at varying distances.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter to transmit a millimeter wave signal to a detection area, and a receiver to receive a reflecting millimeter wave signal reflected by a plurality of targets in the detection area
Implementation Method 2
the Doppler phase shift caused by a displacement of the body of a target organism can be directly eliminated by transmitting a single signal through two antennas to opposite sides of the target organism, thereby achieving vital sign detection
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-target vital sign detection system includes a transmitter, a receiver and a processor. The transmitter is configured to transmit a millimeter wave signal to a detection area, and the receiver is configured to receive a reflecting millimeter wave signal reflected by a plurality of targets in the detection area. The processor is configured to: generate signal strength versus distance data by analyzing the received reflecting millimeter wave signal; perform an extreme value reserving process to generate signal extreme value versus distance data; perform a peak search algorithm to obtain a peak list including a plurality of peak values and a plurality of corresponding peak distances; generate a distance array including a plurality of distance variables; and perform a vital sign detection algorithm to generate multiple sets of vital sign data.