Delivering Improved Personal Safety and Wellbeing with 60GHz RF Sensor Technology

60GHz RADAR sensors from Socionext are powering innovative solutions that promote better health, safety, and wellbeing. Read on to learn more about why the features of 60GHz sensor technology are ideal for these sorts of wellness applications.

Utilizing the 60GHz frequency for wireless communications provides several benefits over competing technologies. For example, the 60GHz frequency has a greater signal resolution since it is relatively uncongested and offers more bandwidth (a full 7GHz between 57 ~ 64GHz) than the lower 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies used for Wi-Fi. The high-resolution of the 60GHz frequency provides very accurate sensing results, enabling more innovative RADAR sensing applications such as people counting, vital sign detection, wellness monitoring, touchless 3D motion monitoring, and gesture control.

Radar sensors are also not susceptible to environmental conditions such as temperature and light fluctuations, making them ideal for use in various commercial and consumer applications.

Touchless Gesture, Presence, and Vital Sign Monitoring with 60GHz RF Sensor Technology

Socionext 60GHz RADAR technology can detect motion, presence, and vital signs with a high degree of accuracy. Device manufacturers in various industries are using RF sensors in remarkable applications that not too long ago were the stuff of science fiction. Here are a few examples:

Presence detection for convenience, safety, and power savings: Basic sensors for lights and devices have been around for some time, but as anyone who has waved their arms to keep lights on in a room knows, they are often not very reliable. 60GHz RADAR sensors can accurately detect the presence of individuals and reliably turn on lights, HVAC systems, and other devices when people are present and turn them off for power savings when no one is present.

Activity monitoring for general health and wellness – Health experts warn about the harmful effects of being too sedentary or overworking. RADAR sensors combined with computers or personal electronics can monitor the presence of people and provide reminders to take breaks or periodically get up and move around. RADAR-equipped devices can also monitor vital signs and offer similar prompts to counteract stress and fatigue or even provide pre-emptive warnings of indicators of certain health emergencies.
Independent living for the elderly – The capabilities of RADAR sensing technology can help the fast-growing population of older citizens live more independently and with better quality of life by monitoring their health status. In the event of a medical emergency, such systems can notify family members and health care providers.
Touchless device operation for better safety and hygiene – The recent pandemic has reminded us all of the need to prevent the spread of pathogens. 60GHz radar sensors from Socionext can precisely sense and track the position of a person’s hands in a three-dimensional space, making it ideal for the touchless operation of devices using gestures. The technology provides a significant level of interactivity without the risk of coming to contact with contaminated surfaces. Some examples include playing music apps, searching for information on a video kiosk, and purchasing items from vending machines.
Giving parents peace of mind with next-gen baby monitors – Physical and environmental factors can make an infant vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) while sleeping. The unique sensing features of 60GHz RADAR can give parents a complete picture of a child’s health and greater peace of mind by monitoring and warning of breathing and heart rate issues. When combined with video capabilities, these systems allow parents to watch a baby in a crib without disrupting their child’s sleep.
Patient monitoring in the hospital or at home – 60GHz RADAR sensors from Socionext can detect subtle body surface movements and monitor vital signs to assess patient health and wellbeing. Medical monitoring devices equipped with these RF sensors can save people’s lives by helping to identify individuals at risk and automatically sending unusual vital sign data to medical professionals who can determine actions needed to safeguard the patient’s health quickly.

For more information about the remarkable applications of RADAR sensors, check out the article “Sensing Vital Signs Through the Air Is Amazing. 60GHz RF Tech is Why” in DesignNews.

Video Demonstrating Vital Sign Sensing

Video Demonstrating Smart Gesturing with 2D Location Sensing

Socionext is a leading provider of RF CMOS sensors, offering a lineup of single-chip 24GHz and 60GHz radio-controlled distance measurement sensors with ultra-low power consumption and positional detection functionality.

The new low-power Socionext SC1220 60GHz series radio wave-ranging sensors detect an individual’s location and movement with very high accuracy and precision. The SC1220 comes in an ultra-compact 7 x 7mm package using an average of only 2.5mW power. It has a built-in antenna of two transmission systems 2 x 2 rectangular array and can detect three-dimensional positioning, including azimuth, elevation angle, speed, and distance.

The Socionext SC1221 60GHz RF sensor series specializes in high-precision detection of two-dimensional movements and can detect multiple moving objects in a specific area. It incorporates a 1×4 linear array receiver antenna to detect azimuth, speed, and distance of multiple moving objects.

Socionext has extensive engineering expertise in RADAR sensing technology. We provide our customers with quality semiconductor products based on comprehensive and differentiated IPs, proven design methodologies, state-of-the-art implementation expertise, and full support. Contact us today to learn more.