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Updated: May 22, 2026
Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns
Published on: September 16, 2019
Non-contact detection of breathing using a microwave sensor
Devis Dei1, Gilberto Grazzini, Guido Luzi
1Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, University of Florence, Via Santa Marta 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy; E-Mails: gilberto.grazzini@unifi.it (G.G.); guido.luzi@unifi.it (G.L.); massimiliano.pieraccini@unifi.it (M.P.); carlo.atzeni@unifi.it (C.A.).
Abstract:
In this paper the use of a continuous-wave microwave sensor as a non-contact tool for quantitative measurement of respiratory tidal volume has been evaluated by experimentation in seventeen healthy volunteers. The sensor working principle is reported and several causes that can affect its response are analyzed. A suitable data processing has been devised able to reject the majority of breath measurements taken under non suitable conditions. Furthermore, a relationship between microwave sensor measurements and volume inspired and expired at quiet breathing (tidal volume) has been found.
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