Human Presence Detection Using Millimeter-Wave Radiometry

A novel method of human presence detection using passive millimeter-wave (MMW) sensors is presented. The method focuses on detecting a standing human from a moving platform in a cluttered outdoor environment using MMW radiometry, which has not been attempted before. Ka-band radiometers are used in the total power mode, as well as correlation mode, which ideally responds well to self-luminous objects such as humans. The intrinsic radiative power from a human is derived, as well as the responses of the total power and correlation modes. A summary of the system hardware design is presented, as well as experimental results. Lastly, a simple Bayesian classification formulation is introduced and shown to produce promising results in classification of humans and nonhumans.