Optimized SFCW radar sensor aiming at fall detection in a real room environment

An optimization of a Stepped-Frequency Continuous Wave (SFCW) radar for contactless fall detection and tag-less localization is presented and discussed. Wideband antennas with different topologies are investigated to solve the backscattering problem, which strongly overwhelms the signal when the radar is operated on a wall. Experimental evaluations with a real human subject indicated accurate detection both of fall events and of the target's absolute distance in a typical room setting.