Real-Time Human Detection & Tracking System Incorporating MEMS Technology

Abstract

"MEMS technology is utilized for ‘Search and Rescue’ and ‘Surveillance’ operations to detect unique signature of human beings typically without the intentional participation of the detected person. The research area incorporates custom designed sensor ASIC, state-of-the-art MEMS thermopile, signal processing micro processor and algorithm into a handheld equipment with GPS and GSM modules along with LCD display. The device locates and tracks intruders and facilitates real time transmission of requisite coordinates and detected information to the far end control station via IoT. Additionally, the application is also envisaged to identify the alive or injured bodies in relief operations during disasters/ natural calamities. The MEMS sensor detects the infrared light emitted by human beings within the sensor’s field of view. The IR radiations emitted by humans are detected by the IR detector elements arranged in a phased array formation called as thermocouples [23]. The detector elements create a temperature pattern which is further translated into electric impulses. The impulses are transmitted to a signal processing circuitry unit having a circuit board with a dedicated chip which translates the information from the elements into binary data of the order of 10 times of the detected temperature in °C. The sensed temperature value is sent to the display unit through an I2C serial bus which appears as red coloured blinking LEDs depending on the infrared emission intensity sensed by thermocouples. The combination of all impulses, sensed by all elements, creates a pattern over Dot Matrix LED display which indicates the direction of object being sensed. Simultaneously, GPS module sends the Real time tracking position in NMEA sentence format to the microcontroller. Both Sensor and GPS data are then transmitted as SMS script via GSM module on a periodic basis to provide Tracking information to the Control station."