Numerical simulation of UWB impulse radar vital signal detection at an earthquake disaster site

Abstract

Using finite difference time domain numerical simulation approach we have investigated the use of ultra-wide band (UWB) radar techniques for vital signal detection in an earthquake debris environment. The model of earthquake debris resulting from a collapsed building was constructed based on a real earthquake disaster site in northeastern Tibet. The model consists of two human beings with different vital signals, i.e., with different cardio-respiration features, posed in different position, and buried at different depth in the debris. We start the model with a setup of single source multiple receiver impulse radar, and then expand the model to a setup of single-source and single receiver profiling case. This paper presents the simulation results using the UWB impulse radar technique and recommends the appropriate practice for earthquake rescue efforts.