On the possibility of recording and studying human movement activity with seismic sensors of a new type: Advantages and prospects of the single-layer flat-coil-oscillator technology based sensors

Abstract

This paper presents main classes and varieties of sensors developed on the basis of the single-layer flat-coil-oscillator (SFCO) technology. The results of registration of human activity (steps and jumps) by seismic sensors based on this technology are presented and discussed in this paper. We applied some algorithms for digital processing of “RAW” data coming from vibrational seismic SFCO sensors, which made it possible to detect and mark out human steps and jumps from the background of natural ground vibrations. The unprecedented sensitivity of these sensors has been demonstrated, which, under favorable conditions (low natural ground vibrations), enables step-by-step registration of human activity at distances up to 350–370 m from the sensor installation point in the ground. The advantages of three-dimensional (3D) SFCO seismic sensors, which allow detecting human activity even with unfavorable environmental parameters and filtering features of the soil due to their anisotropy, have been demonstrated. The possibility of detecting soil features with new SFCO sensors is also shown. Possible applications of vibration seismic SFCO sensors in other areas are also discussed.

A Single-Layer Flat-Coil-Oscillator-Based Technology as a Highly Sensitive Promising Detector for State-of-the-Art “Cognitive Radio Systems”

“…The class I is the sensors with a mechanical vibrating system [8][9][10][11][12][13]15] and includes several types: the position sensor (position, speed, and acceleration sensors), vibration sensor (vibraphone and seismic sensor), the acoustic sensor (microphone and hydrophone) and the vibroacoustic SFCO magnetometer. The class II involves the sensors without the vibrating system and currently is presented by four types: the radiofrequency 'magnetic field' probe (MF probe) [14,16], the noninertial (due to low mass) thermal sensor (with $1 μK extremely-high resolution) [2,4], the nanowatt absorption meter (quality-factor meter -Q-meter) [5,6], and the MF probebased SFCO magnetometer [3,7].…”

“…[10] or Figure 1 in Refs. [3,4]) caused by deformation of the RF electromagnetic field lines (F $ 10-50 MHz) near the flat surface of the measuring oscillator coil (in response to the approach/removal of the normal-metallic (e.g., copper) plate of the vibrating system [8][9][10][11][12][13]15]) due to shielding Eddy currents induced by the same RF field in the plate (see Figure 2A and B). Note that the sensitivity (or resolution) of SFCO sensors exponentially drops from the rising distance between the coil plane and the metallic plate of the vibrating system [3] (Figure 2C).…”

“…Our previous works and related publications have evidently demonstrated the perspectives of using the first class SFCO sensors in various fields of science and technology. Below, in this section, we present and discuss the most important applications of the class I vibration and vibroacoustic SFCO sensors [8][9][10][11][12][13]15].…”

“…Soon this method was developed into a powerful technology platform called a single-layer flat-coil-oscillator (SFCO) technology. It helped to increase the resolution of detectors in seismology/geophysics [8][9][10][11] and develop research and diagnostic techniques for use in physiology and biophysics [12][13][14][15]. We have also recently shown the feasibility of using SFCO method-based sensors for noncontact far-field nondestructive scanning of various structures and media [16].…”

On the possibility of using highly sensitive SFCO sensors for studies in the field of behavioral physiology

“…It should be noted that our measuring device consist of two oscillators [3]. One of them is a measuring oscillator (a vibrating sys tem with a metallic plate suspended over its coil) [11][12], the other is a reference one. Such a design makes it possible to minimize "device" effects and suppress synphase and/or correla ted noises, and thereby, improve the measurement accuracy in experiments.…”