Robust ultra wideband radar systems for real-time sensing, characterization, and imaging applications

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This proposal focuses on developing a robust sensor technology for real-time sensing, characterization, and imaging applications. The proposed sensor technology will be developed based on ultra wideband (UWB) radar principles. The targeted application areas of the research are in geomatics with special focus on tunnel construction, and e-health with specific goal of developing contactless human vital-sign monitoring systems. The long term objectives of the research are in (a) Geomatics: It is well understood that the lack of real-time surveying instruments and solutions to detect the buried complexities such as unexpected boulders, sudden change from hard clay to unstable sand, and buried gas and water pipes at the tunnel face contribute to the high risk of tunneling projects. The goal of this research is to develop a viable real-time surveying tool that can be integrated with tunnel boring machine to estimate the geological parameters of the tunnel section immediately ahead of the tunnel face. The proposed research also extends the horizons of the state-of-the-art ground penetrating radar technologies. (b) e-health: Significance of contactless sensor technology for monitoring the human physiology, and microwave radiometer for monitoring the temperature of internal organs has been realized. However, fundamental limitation for this technology arises due to the fading radar cross section of the patient. Long term goal of this research is to develop a robust contactless sensor technology for the following applications: (i) contactless measurement of heartbeat, heart rate variability, and breathing rate monitoring, as well as generate alarm signals based on critical condition of the patient (ii) measurement of abdominal fat thickness and determination of quality of fat to help the studies of obesity in a patient. Even though UWB technology is already in use for numerous applications the state-of-the-art UWB sensor technology limited by its lack of robustness. The proposed research develops the theory and design for robust ultra wideband sensor technology, and also study their implementation and integration to solve the above two problems.