Non-Contact Measurement of Human Vital Signs in Dynamic Conditions Using Microwave Techniques: A Review

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microwave Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Traditional vital sign monitoring often requires physical contact and is limited in dynamic conditions.
• Wearable devices and remote sensing are increasingly important for continuous health and safety monitoring.
• Advancements in microwave and radar technologies offer new possibilities for non-contact physiological measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in microwave and radar techniques for non-contact vital sign measurement in dynamic environments.
• To highlight innovative antenna designs and sensor technologies for wearable and remote applications.
• To discuss the integration of advanced signal processing and deep learning for robust vital sign estimation.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on microwave and radar sensors for vital sign detection.
• Analysis of ultra-wideband (UWB) radar, Doppler sensors, and microwave reflectometry.
• Examination of signal processing and deep learning algorithms for motion artifact reduction.
• Discussion of biodegradable and flexible antenna designs for wearable devices.
• Exploration of applications in telemedicine, home monitoring, sports, and search and rescue.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of non-contact vital sign monitoring (respiration, heart rate) in moving subjects.
• Development of flexible, biodegradable antennas supporting 5G/IoT connectivity.
• Successful application of UWB radar and advanced algorithms for robust vital sign estimation.
• Identification of key challenges including motion artifacts, anatomical variability, and energy efficiency.
• Potential for localization and detection of vital signs in search and rescue scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Microwave and radar techniques show significant promise for unobtrusive, continuous, and sustainable monitoring of human physiological activity.
• These technologies can support future healthcare, telemedicine, and safety systems, including search and rescue.
• Further research is needed to address challenges like miniaturization, energy efficiency, and inter-subject variability for widespread adoption.