UWB-radar technology senses presence, respiration – in the next room
The sensors operate in the international UWB (ultra-wideband) spectrum space, and at the low RF power permitted there, and can implement ranging with millimetre resolution. The company has opted to apply the required signal processing and data interpretation to reduce the “radar return” information to outputs that are specific to (in this case) the respiration-detection application – that is, depth and frequency of breathing.
There are two sensor modules for detecting human presence and monitoring respiration, both based on Novelda’s XeThru technology. These can detect presence just from the chest movement while breathing, and measure both the rate and depth of breathing, allowing breathing patterns to be tracked in real-time. Despite the high frequencies involved, the technology can successfully detect through a variety of objects including lightweight building materials, duvets and blankets to provide non-contact sensing at a range of up to several metres. Lightweight building materials comprises, for example, internal partition walls. The modules, a company spokesman confirms, can easily detect the movement of baby’s chest wall through cot and bedding materials.
The XeThru X2M300 module is intended for smart home automation where its capability for detecting human presence while being integrated into a building’s structure enables hidden, tamper-proof sensing. As well as security and comfort applications, such as the convenient actuation of lighting and environmental controls, this module can enhance home safety, especially for the elderly or people who live alone, using the absence of normal activity to raise an alarm.
The X2M200 sensor module is designed for respiration monitoring of people of all ages for health and welfare purposes. It is particularly suited for sleep improvement systems and detecting sleep anomalies or other medical conditions.
Signal processing and data extraction and interpretation is sufficiently complex that the company has chosen to embed it technology in the application-specific module. In this form, the sensor identifies and provides data on one person – usually, the target closest to the detector. In this sense, it is a one-module-per-person system. Other application domains may follow, for example home (and industrial) robotics. The sensors provide a field-of-view of 60degrees, or 150 degrees at close range (this being the -10 dB angle).
“Our goal was to develop a supersensitive non-contact sensor that could enable adaptive IOT solutions and personal health devices, as well as advanced home automation. [these] two very advanced XeThru sensors for creative designers to develop advanced sleep improvement systems and extremely sensitive presence sensors”, explained Novelda CEO, Alf-Egil Bogen”, These are just two examples from an endless list of applications for these sensors”, he continued.
Supporting the introduction of these two modules, Novelda is offering the XeThru Inspiration Kit, a hardware and software platform that comes complete with two sensor modules and interface boards for connection to a computer. The kit allows developers to easily evaluate the performance of the sensors using the supplied software that supports: module configuration, visualisation of sensor data and the ability to record data for later analysis.
“The Inspiration Kit is designed to be easy to use without any electronic expertise and can be used for evaluation, proof of concept and prototyping. I am confident this will inspire and enable products the world has not seen before. With these sensors you can really add a sixth sense into a multitude of products for health, comfort and safety”, says Senior Product Marketing Manager, Kjetil Meisal.
The X2M300 provides instant non-contact presence detection at a programmable distance of up to 4.8m. It can sense through light building materials and its high sensitivity enables it to be triggered just by a person breathing. The X2M200 has a sensor range from 0.5m up to 2.8m and can be placed on a night stand, mounted on the wall or fitted into the ceiling above a bed. It is optimised for detecting breathing rate and tracking breathing patterns but can also detect movement, presence and measure distance, and is not sensitive to body orientation within the field of view. Both modules comprise a single PCB design and operate over a serial interface with a standardised protocol for easy system integration. Multiple sensors can operate in the same space and each module consumes less than 400 mW power. The modules are unaffected by dust, smoke, moisture or darkness, and function reliably in harsh and dirty environments; they are also pending FCC and ETSI approval.
The XeThru Inspiration Kit costs $1499; from Novelda’s web shop – by entering the launch rebate code “LAUNCHPROMO” $300 will be taken off the price. This limited offer will last until May 31st.
The XeThru sensor modules will be available in the second quarter of 2015. Pricing for the X2M300 is expected to be around $69.00 each (1000) piece quantities and for the X2M200, around $76.00.
Novelda; www.xethru.com
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