Device-free human presence detection using frequency domain

Abstract

Device-free human presence (DFHP) detection is a novel technique, mainly applicable to wireless sensor networks in which a human does not need to carry a wireless transceiver to be detected. Irregularities in the radio signal propagation pattern, expressed in a form of received signal strength indicator's (RSSI) variations can indicate possible presence of a human within the existing radio network. In this paper we propose DFHP detection method based on frequency analysis of RSSI variations. The main advantage of the proposed method compared to human detection method based on information entropy is the possibility to determine human presence from furniture layout change. The main drawback is a disability to recognize the absence from the presence of a motionless person in an environment. However, the combination of these two approaches defines a robust and cost-effective DFHP detection method that can be used in various smart home systems without the need for specific hardware installation and exploitation procedures.