W-band MMIC radar modules for remote detection of vital signs

A continuous wave (CW) radar operating at 96 GHz is applied to determine respiration and heart beat rate of a human target at a distance of 1 m. A frequency multiplier-by-twelve monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC), providing a stable signal source in the W-band (75 to 110 GHz) and a receiver MMIC with low noise amplifier (LNA) and in phase/quadraturephase (I/Q) down-conversion mixers, both packaged in separate split-block modules, are the key elements of the bi-static radar system. The radar system is able to accurately determine the surface movement of the chest of the target. This movement holds the information of respiration and heart rate, which can be obtained by analysing the received signal in time and frequency domain.