Pulse Wave Velocity Detection Using a 24 GHz Six-Port Based Doppler Radar

Abstract

The measurement of the pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an important diagnostic tool in human medicine, since it is directly related to arterial stiffness, an indicator for cardiovascular risks. This paper presents a compact 24GHz continuous wave (CW) six-port Doppler radar system, which is able to precisely measure relative distances by an interferometric approach. The system is used in combination with a switched beam antenna to monitor the pulse wave at two different measurement spots on the abdominal aorta. Based on the pulse wave’s transit time between both spots, the PWV is calculated by correlation.