Hand-Held Ultrasonic Through-the-Wall Monitoring of Stationary and Moving People

摘要

A prototype system for monitoring respiration and movement through metallic and non-metallic walls has been developed and demonstrated. The man- portable sensor uses high energy ultrasonic pulses and ultra low noise amplification of the return pulse echoes to detect the breathing or motion of individuals in an enclosed space. A real-time video display on the hand-held transducer assembly provides the user with a measure of the location of the detected motion to within one-foot accuracy, out to a maximum range of thirty feet. Pulse forming circuitry, data acquisition and processing electronics, and battery power are stowed in a backpack. The sensor was designed to penetrate through a variety of wall materials and configurations; however, a limitation exists on its ability to penetrate through multi-layer wall configurations, such as are commonly found in residential and commercial buildings, where a significant air gap might exist between the inner and outer wall layers. Potential applications for this sensor include search and rescue, law enforcement, and vehicle and container inspection.