Random-Noise Denoising and Clutter Elimination of Human Respiration Movements Based on an Improved Time Window Selection Algorithm Using Wavelet Transform

Abstract

This paper considers vital signs (VS) such as respiration movement detection of human subjects using an impulse ultra-wideband (UWB) through-wall radar with an improved sensing algorithm for random-noise de-noising and clutter elimination. One filter is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of these VS signals. Using the wavelet packet decomposition, the standard deviation based spectral kurtosis is employed to analyze the signal characteristics to provide the distance estimate between the radar and human subject. The data size is reduced based on a defined region of interest (ROI), and this improves the system efficiency. The respiration frequency is estimated using a multiple time window selection algorithm. Experimental results are presented which illustrate the efficacy and reliability of this method. The proposed method is shown to provide better VS estimation than existing techniques in the literature.

The Importance of Respiratory Rate Monitoring: From Healthcare to Sport and Exercise

“…The rescue of trapped victims is a typical example of a measurement scenario where the detection of the presence of breathing is of great value [32]. Contactless techniques can be used for victim identification, as the ultra-wideband (UWB) through-wall radar provides an estimation of f R , while calculating at the same time the distance between the radar and the human subject [45]. This feature of UWB radars is essential for survivor identification and location.…”

“…However, a low signal-to-noise ratio can be found in complex environments and may result in significant errors in the estimation of f R and distance. This problem can be counteracted with the development of robust algorithms as proposed by Shikhsarmast et al [45], who implemented a random-noise denoising and clutter elimination algorithm using wavelet transform. Other approaches are based on complex signal demodulation techniques and frequency accumulation methods to suppress mixed products of the heartbeat and respiration signals and spurious respiration signal harmonics [46,47].…”

An Overview of Signal Processing Techniques for Remote Health Monitoring Using Impulse Radio UWB Transceiver

“…Recently, IR-UWB technology has been used in many applications due to its characteristics such as robustness in a harsh environment, accurate ranging at the level centimeters, less power consumption and good object penetration capacity [4]. Impulse radar has been used in many fields such as localization [5], medical [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], multihuman detection [25,26], gesture recognition [27][28][29][30], imaging [31,32], tumor vital signs are presented. The main focus of this research is on vital signs monitoring using IR-UWB radar; therefore, most sections of the paper (Sections 2-9) are related to vital signs.…”

An FMCW Radar for Localization and Vital Signs Measurement for Different Chest Orientations

“…Their major advantage is that, without the need for any cable or electrode, it is possible, at first, to locate the patient inside the room and, then, to measure his/her respiratory rate and heartbeat. In [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], impulse radars were presented as a valid solution for the vital signs’ estimation. However, because of their broadband nature, they are power consuming and require complex architectures and high speed analog-to-digital converters (ADC).…”