Fujitsu Components America, Inc., was named the winner of the most innovative product in the Medical category of the Best of Sensors Awards 2020 for its FWM7RAZ01 24-GHz Doppler Radar Sensor Module. Entries were judged and winners selected on the basis of value to the marketplace, uniqueness of the design, and the impact (i.e., the “bigness” of the problems solved or issues addressed).
Fujitsu is a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company headquartered in Tokyo. In 2018, it was the world's fourth-largest IT services provider measured by global IT services revenue (after IBM, Accenture, and AWS). Fortune magazine has named Fujitsu as one of the world's most admired companies and a Global 500 company.
Fujitsu mainly makes computing products, but the company and its subsidiaries also offer a diversity of products and services in the areas of personal computing, enterprise computing—including x86, SPARC and mainframe compatible server products—as well as storage products, telecommunications, advanced microelectronics, and air conditioning.
Fujitsu Components America, Inc., markets and distributes electronic and system components and sub-systems throughout North and South America. Products include relays, touch panels, thermal printers, wireless modules (including Doppler radar sensor modules), and input and pointing devices.
Earlier this year, Fujitsu Components America introduced the FWM7RAZ01—a 3-channel, 24 GHz Doppler radar sensor with a wide speed-detection range and high interference tolerance. Even if developers lack high-frequency RF electronics expertise, this module and evaluation kit facilitates the rapid development and evaluation of various non-contact, movement sensing products. Target applications include human vital sign and fall monitoring, structural and mechanical movement detection, machine maintenance, and more, for the healthcare and industrial markets.
The FWM7RAZ01 supports IF (I/Q) output signals from 1 Hz to 1 MHz enabling it to wirelessly detect movement speeds from 6 mm per second to 6 km per second, within a 30-meter range. Although 1 MHz of Doppler Effect is not observable in real-world applications, it is effective for detecting signal interference. To prevent signal overlap, the system can select a different channel and avoid misdetection before it happens.
The FWM7RAZ01 Doppler radar sensor consists of a 24 GHz transceiver, TX and RX array antennas, IF amplifier, MCU, DAC, E2PROM and an LDO voltage regulator all integrated into a single, compact module measuring 30mm x 44mm x 9.5mm. Pin header terminals positioned on the back of the module simplify integration, even for designers who aren’t familiar with high-frequency circuits.
Compared to other detection methods like infrared, ultrasound, and laser scan, 24 GHz radio waves are more stable and less affected by environmental conditions, such as weather, temperature, illuminance, sound or dirt. The waves also easily penetrate clothing, curtains, glass, and most wooden structures.
“While a variety of sensing techniques are used to measure and monitor blood pressure and respiration rate, 24 GHz radar can detect the variations in both based on minute body movements. With only millimeter movements per heartbeat or the differences in inhaling and exhaling, Fujitsu’s FWM7RAZ01 24-GHz Doppler Radar Sensor Module can provide human vital sign and fall monitoring. The 3-channel, 24-GHz sensor has a wide speed-detection range and high interference tolerance for continuous, non-contact measurements. Unlike infrared, ultrasound and laser scan detection methods, 24-GHz signal can easily penetrate clothing, curtains, glass, and most wooden structures. The compact, 30mm x 44mm x 9.5mm, 24-GHz sensor is also useful for structural and mechanical movement detection, machine maintenance,” said Judge Randy Frank, President Randy Frank & Associates.
For full list of finalists in the Best of Sensors 2020 Awards:
https://www.fierceelectronics.com/sensors/best-sensors-awards-2020-finalists-announced