A Ka-band Correlation Radiometer for Human Presence Detection from a Moving Platform

A correlation radiometer developed for use in human presence detection is presented. This paper introduces a new use for radiometers in correlation mode to detect the presence of a standing human. Results are shown demonstrating effectiveness as a mobile detector mounted to a moving platform. A divergence from traditional correlation techniques is the application of angling the antennas inwards to range-gate the correlation response in order to reduce responses due to undesired background objects. Algorithms based on analyses of signal peaks reduce responses due to background objects in extremely cluttered environments while responses due to humans are relatively unaffected.