Through wall detection and tracking system

• US 20060061504A1
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Leach, Richard R. Jr., Welsh, Patrick A., Chang, John T.
• Application Number:
  US10/950,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/0209 Systems with very large relative bandwidth, i.e. larger than 10 %, e.g. baseband, pulse, carrier-free, ultrawideband
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/426 Scanning radar, e.g. 3D radar G01S13/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/56 for presence detection presence detection using near field arrangements G01V3/00, e.g. G01V3/08, G01V3/12; burglar, theft or intruder alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22 - G08B13/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/888 through wall detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/41 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section

Abstract

A system for detecting and tracking an individual or animal comprises producing a first return radar signal from the individual or animal with a first low power ultra wideband radar. Producing a second return radar signal from the individual or animal with a second low power ultra wideband radar. Maintaining the first low power micro-power radar a fixed distance from the second low power ultra wideband radar. Processing the first return radar signal and the second return radar signal in detecting and tracking of the individual or animal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal, comprising:

a first low power ultra wideband radar unit that produces a first return radar signal from the individual or animal,

a second low power ultra wideband radar unit that produces a second return radar signal from the individual or animal, said second low power micro-power radar unit located a fixed distance from said first low power ultra wideband radar unit, and

a processing system for said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal for detection and tracking of the individual or animal.

2. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein the individual or animal is located in a structure and including structure for positioning said first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit against or proximate said structure.

3. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein the individual or animal is located in a structure and including fixation units for positioning said first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit against said structure.

4. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein the individual or animal is located in a structure and including a frame that positions said first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit against or proximate said structure.

5. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein the individual or animal is located in a structure and including a frame and tripod that positions said first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit against or proximate said structure.

6. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein the individual or animal is located in a structure and including a robot that positions said first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit against or proximate said structure.

7. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 including a wireless system that connects said first low power ultra wideband radar unit, said second low power ultra wideband radar unit and said processing system.

8. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein said a first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit produce return radar signals representing the respiration of the individual or animal.

9. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein said a first low power ultra wideband radar unit and said second low power ultra wideband radar unit produce return radar signals representing the respiration of the individual or animal and wherein said processing system produces a signal representing the respiration of the individual or animal.

10. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein said processing system provides a radar analog output signal that is proportional to motion at a set range.

11. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein said processing system includes signal and image processing algorithms that can be performed on a notebook computer.

12. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 wherein said processing system includes signal and image processing algorithms that can be performed on an embedded DSP processor.

13. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 1 including a geo-location system for detection and tracking of the individual or animal.

14. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 13 wherein said geo-location system is connected to satellite-based GPS.

15. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 13 wherein said geo-location system is connected to low-earth-orbit satellites.

16. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 13 wherein said geo-location system is connected to geosynchronous satellites.

17. An apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal, comprising:

first low power ultra wideband radar means for producing a first return radar signal from the individual or animal,

second low power ultra wideband radar means for producing a second return radar signal from the individual or animal, said second low power micro-power radar means located a fixed distance from said first low power ultra wideband radar means, and

processing system means for processing said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal for detection and tracking of the individual or animal.

18. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 wherein said a first low power ultra wideband radar means and said second low power ultra wideband radar means produce return radar signals representing the respiration of the individual or animal.

19. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 wherein said processing means produces a signal representing the respiration of the individual or animal.

20. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 wherein said processing means provides a radar analog output signal that is proportional to motion at a set range.

21. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 wherein said processing means includes signal and image processing algorithms that can be performed on a standard notebook computer.

22. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 wherein said processing means includes signal and image processing algorithms that can be performed on an embedded DSP processor.

23. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 17 including a geo-location system for detection and tracking of the individual or animal.

24. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 23 wherein said geo-location system is connected to satellite-based GPS.

25. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 23 wherein said geo-location system is connected to low-earth-orbit satellites.

26. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 23 wherein said geo-location system is connected to geosynchronous satellites.

27. A method of detecting and tracking an individual or animal, comprising the steps of:

producing a first return radar signal from the individual or animal with a first low power ultra wideband radar,

producing a second return radar signal from the individual or animal with a second low power ultra wideband radar,

maintaining said first low power micro-power radar a fixed distance from said second low power ultra wideband radar, and

processing said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal in detecting and tracking of the individual or animal.

28. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 27 wherein said step of producing a first return radar signal from the individual or animal with a first low power ultra wideband radar comprises producing a first return radar signal from the individual or animal with a first low power ultra wideband radar representing the heartbeat of the individual or animal.

29. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 27 wherein step of processing said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal comprises producing a signal representing the heartbeat of the individual or animal.

30. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 27 wherein step of processing said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal comprises producing a signal representing the respiration of the individual or animal.

31. The apparatus for detection and tracking of an individual or animal of claim 27 wherein said step of processing said first return radar signal and said second return radar signal provides a radar analog output signal that is proportional to motion at a set range.