An impulse radio (IR) radar SoC for through-the-wall human-detection applications

More than 42 000 fires occur nationwide and cause over 2500 casualties every year. There is a lack of specialized equipment, and rescue operations are conducted with a minimal number of apparatuses. Through-the-wall radars (TTWRs) can improve the rescue efficiency, particularly under limited visibility due to smoke, walls, and collapsed debris. To overcome detection challenges and maintain a small-form factor, a TTWR system-on-chip (SoC) and its architecture have been proposed. Additive reception based on coherent clocks and reconfigurability can fulfill the TTWR demands. A clock-based single-chip infrared radar transceiver with embedded control logic is implemented using a 130-nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor. Clock signals drive the radar operation. Signal-to-noise ratio enhancements are achieved using the repetitive coherent clock schemes. The hand-held prototype radar that uses the TTWR SoC operates in real time, allowing seamless data capture, processing, and display of the target information. The prototype is tested under various pseudo-disaster conditions. The test standards and methods, developed along with the system, are also presented.