GSM based through-the-wall passive radar demonstrator for motion sensing

Abstract

Through-the-wall detections have many vital applications, including the potential to conduct surveillance through walls and the ability to detect the presence of living people behind doors or other barriers. These covert surveillances and personnel detections are of high interest in urban warfare applications. This research work assesses the feasibility of using global system for mobile communications (GSM) signal as the transmission of opportunity in the through-the-wall motion detection passive radar and subsequently developing and implementing a fully functional GSM based through-the-wall passive radar demonstrator for motion sensing. Experimental trials to validate the feasibility of motion detection through the wall were conducted using GSM transmissions from an operational GSM base station transmitter. The Doppler frequency of a cooperative human inside an enclosed room corresponding to him walking to and from the brick wall can be prominently detected and tracked. These encouraging results path the way for more thorough and in-depth research into this novel ground breaking through-the-wall passive surveillance radar technology.