Vehicle occupancy detector based on FMCW mm-wave radar at 77 GHz

Identifier:  imarina:9286888

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9286888

Authors:  Munte, Nil; Lazaro, Antonio; Villarino, Ramon; Girbau, David

Abstract:
Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radars are a solution in automotive applications such as Adaptive Driver Assisted Systems (ADAS). This work explores the use of commercially-available mmWave radar technology for in-cab vehicle applications. A framework for vehicle occupancy detector based on mmWave radar at 77 GHz is presented. A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar from Texas Instruments (AWR1642) is used. The system can detect the presence of people occupying the seats by measuring small movements of the body. To this end, the static clutter is removed, therefore the point cloud returned by the radar contains information about the body. The radar is installed on the roof of the vehicle to have the maximum field of view of the seats. An algorithm that uses both the density and the dispersion of points around each seat is proposed to determine its degree of occupation. Experimental results have been presented for 4 and 5- seater vehicles with high accuracy.