C-Band FMCW radar design and implementation for breathing rate estimation

Abstract

In this paper, a portable Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar system was designed and implemented for human movements and breathing detection. The radar operates with a frequency band ranges from 4.7 to 4.9GHz. The radar sub-systems were designed and simulated using up to date computer-aided-design tools before implementation. The Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO), high gain antenna, low loss power divider/combiner, and a high selectivity bandpass filter were implemented, and their parameters were measured using a microwave analyzer. The simulated results and the measured results show a significant correlation. The new RF front end module components enhanced the radar signal-noise-ratio (SNR), and the breathing rate detection. The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is implemented on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) board for movement and breathing signals detection processing in real-time. Highly sensitive detection, configurability, low cost, low power consumption, and portability were considered in the designed system. We believe that the enhanced reconfigurable radar system will be helpful in several biomedical monitoring applications.