Life signs detection in urban search and rescue applications

A new method based on an improved version of the well-known multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm for life signs detection is proposed. With respect to other competitive methods already available in the literature, the proposed method assures higher dynamic range of the estimated spectrum and effective noise/clutter rejection when detecting the respiratory and the cardiac activities from the received microwave signals. The results of several tests conducted in actual measurement condition, i.e. people in furnished room behind concrete walls, prove the efficacy and reliability of the method.