Motion tracking of a human subject in healthcare applications using compact ultra wideband antennas

This paper presents a study of 3D localisation of compact body-worn sensors using Ultra Wideband technology. Nine different sensor locations on the upper body of the human subject are considered. 3D localisation of the body worn sensors is achieved using time of arrival and peak detection techniques. The average 3D positioning accuracy achieved is in the range of 1 to 3 cm which are comparable with the complex optical motion capture system that is used as reference. Results also show that accuracy in estimation of location of the sensor depends on the position it is placed on the human body, configuration of the base station and the propagation phenomenon in the indoor environment in which localisation is taking place. The high cm accuracy obtained makes UWB technology suitable for various indoor applications in field of healthcare, sports, industry and day to day life.