E!6155 Multi purpose human finder

The main goal is to develop a device, called the HumanFinder, as an aid to rescue teams trying to locate trapped victims in urban search and rescue operations. The HumanFinder is a sensor, incorporating the Novelda Nanoscale Impulse Radar chip, capable of detecting and determine the positioning of trapped victims. It is handheld, portable and easy to use in stressed situations. Each year, innocent human lives are lost in rubble or collapsed structures as a consequence of both natural and man-made disaster s. In all cases, the sooner a living victim is located, the greater is the chance for survival. While speed is critical in locating victims, so is the reliability of the method of location. Chances for survival decreases while rescue workers fruitlessly a re digging in the wrong place. There is a need for a fast, safe, and highly reliable device for early detection and positioning of trapped victims. The device must be cost effective, handheld and easy to use. The unique features of the Novelda Novelda Na noscale Impulse Radar chip combined with Cinsides expertise, opens up for developing a unique lifesaving rescue product which can fulfill the critical needs mentioned above. The product will use a phased array multi layer patch antenna with one radar chip per antenna element. The product will have an electronically positioned radar beam enabling the system to rapidly report an angle and a distance to the target. The overall research challenge in this project is to realise the detection and positioning fu nctions in a compact and cost effective solution. This requires new antenna solutions, improved radar electronics combined with advanced signal processing. We have in a previous study examined the feasibility of using modern concepts in antenna technology and signal processing. An expanded variant of one of these evaluated concepts is to be realised in this project.