Multiple moving person tracking by UWB sensors: the effect of mutual shielding persons and methods reducing its impacts

Abstract

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radars are sensors allowing to track people in critical environments and situations. The results reached by single UWB sensors for such applications have shown that they are able to detect and track a person very well in a single person scenario. However, in multiple moving person scenarios, the ability of a single UWB sensor to detect several persons is usually significantly reduced. This is caused by a mutual shielding among people. In this paper, we will deal with the mutual shielding effect and its impacts, as well as with the methods of improving multiple moving person tracking by UWB radars. Firstly, we will provide a comprehensive description of the mutual shielding effect. Then, based on its analyses, we will state three complementary approaches created by the authors of this paper to reduce its impacts. They include an enhancement of the low-level echo of the targets, radar antenna array positioning at a convenient height, UWB sensor network application and, finally, their mutual combinations. The properties of those approaches will be demonstrated by two experimental measurements aimed at through wall tracking of two and three people, respectively. The results obtained in the experiments will illustrate the mutual shielding effect and the potential of the methods we have proposed to reduce its impacts.

A Microwave Sensing and Imaging Method for Multiphase Flow Metering of Crude Oil Pipes

“…In the last decade, UWB radars have attracted attentions to be used in different applications [21], such as steam-flow monitoring [22], ice-road monitoring [23], biomedical imaging [24], [25], navigation [26], localization, and tracking of targets [27].…”

Localization of a person moving with an unknown character of motion

“…For the detection and localization of MP-I and MP-II, the radar signal processing procedure for MPL has been proposed in [21]. According to this article, MPL consists in the principle of the set of seven basic signal processing phases such as background subtraction, target echo enhancement, target detection, time of arrival (TOA) estimation (including TOA association), wall effect compensation, target localization, and target tracking ( Figure 2) [16]. For the implementation of these phases, exponential averaging method (background subtraction phase) [31], range filtering (target echo enhancement) (e.g.…”

“…People localization belongs undoubtedly among the oldest applications of UWB sensors. In this field, attention has been devoted to the localization of people for LOS scenarios [15], through-a-vertical wall [16] and through-the-floor localization of people [17], and finally, locating people around a corner [18]. As sensor systems, multistatic UWB radars employing 1 transmitting (Tx) and at least 2 receiving antennas (Rxs) or UWB sensor networks have been considered for these scenarios.…”

The UWB Radar Application in the Aviation Security Systems

“…The developed UWB radar signal processing algorithms make it possible to improve the tracking of targets in a complex industrial environment, which will contribute to the safe orientation of the robot in this environment. In [18], the possibilities of tracking moving persons by UWB radars are analyzed, and a comprehensive description of the effect of mutual shielding of persons is given. The authors also present three possible approaches to suppress the impact of this effect and increase the accuracy of tracking moving people.…”