WiFi-based Real-time Breathing and Heart Rate Monitoring during Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for good health and sleep monitoring becomes a vital research topic. This paper provides a low cost, continuous and contactless WiFi-based vital signs (breathing and heart rate) monitoring method. In particular, we set up the antennas based on Fresnel diffraction model and signal propagation theory, which enhances the detection of weak breathing/heartbeat motion. We implement a prototype system using the off-shelf devices and a real-time processing system to monitor vital signs in real time. The experimental results indicate the accurate breathing rate and heart rate detection performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to use a pair of WiFi devices and omnidirectional antennas to achieve real-time individual breathing rate and heart rate monitoring in different sleeping postures.