Enhancing Privacy in Radar-Based Vital Sign Monitoring via Non-Linear FMCW Waveforms

Privacy-preserving radar vital sign monitoring thanks to a novel non-linear FMCW waveform: Authorized users recover vital signs accurately, while eavesdroppers receive unintelligible signals


Invention Summary:

Vital sign monitoring offers a contactless, low-cost and continuous solution for the monitoring of vital signs in patients. However, current solutions suffer from privacy issues that allow passive listeners to decipher these signals, thereby revealing sensitive vital sign information to eavesdroppers.

Rutgers researchers have created a novel non-linear FMCW waveform that protects the privacy of patients by distorting the waveform such that signals cannot be deciphered by passive listeners. This functions by obfuscating the signal using specific parameters that, unless known, render the signal unintelligible to anyone but the receiver. Numerical simulations have confirmed the effectiveness of this technique and have shown that it can preserve privacy while effectively monitoring vital signs. .

Market Applications:

  • Sleep apnea detection
  • Remote Patient monitoring
  • Elder/Infant Care
  • Driver Monitoring Systems
  • Worker Vitals Monitoring

Advantages:

  • Non-intrusive, contact free
  • Allows for monitoring without interception of signals
  • Privacy-preserved monitoring in information sensitive contexts

Related Technology:

Publications:

•    Z. Tao and A. Petropulu, "Enhancing Privacy in Radar-Based Vital Sign Monitoring Via Non-Linear FMCW Waveforms," ICASSP 2025 - 2025 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), Hyderabad, India, April 2025, pp. 1-5 doi: 10.1109/ICASSP49660.2025.10889598

Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional application filed. Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact:  marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu

Patent Information: