Feature
Proof Of Life:
How Next-Generation Sensors Are Set To Transform Green Building Initiatives By Clive Hudson, CEO, Programify Ltd
As facilities managers face mounting pressure to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints, a new sensor technology is emerging that promises to revolutionise how we monitor and manage building occupancy. Radar-based “proof of life” sensors offer unprecedented accuracy in detecting human presence and movement, enabling intelligent and responsive control of lighting, heating, ventilation and other building systems.
Unparalleled Accuracy In Occupancy Detection
The core innovation here is the use of radar rather than infrared for occupancy sensing. Radar can detect incredibly subtle movements, right down to the chest movements of a person breathing. This enables the system to maintain situational awareness even when occupants are sitting very still or sleeping.
Advanced radar sensor systems are emerging that take
occupancy detection to a new level of precision and capability. Unlike traditional passive infrared (PIR) sensors that can only detect large movements, these radar sensors can pick up subtle motions like breathing or slight fidgeting. This then enables the system to maintain an accurate real-time map of where people are located throughout a building, even when occupants are sitting still or sleeping. The implications for green building initiatives, security and energy efficiency are profound. Current occupancy-based controls often lead to wasted energy, with lights and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems running in empty rooms because PIR sensors fail to detect stationary occupants and so there is no way of knowing whether the systems and lighting could be turned off. Radar- based systems eliminate this issue, ensuring building systems only operate when and where they are truly needed.
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These systems typically use a network of at least three sensors per room, typically installed in the upper corners. By triangulating the radar data from multiple sensors, we can pinpoint a person’s exact location in a three-dimensional space. The system knows not just that someone is present, but precisely where they are in the room. This level of accuracy opens up new possibilities for intelligently managing building systems. Lighting can be dynamically adjusted based on occupant locations, illuminating only the necessary areas. HVAC systems can precisely target climate control to occupied zones. Security systems gain heightened awareness of authorised and unauthorised building access. Emergency response is enhanced with exact locations of building occupants.
Unlike PIR sensors that have limited range and can be blocked by furniture or walls, radar can penetrate non-metallic materials to detect occupants anywhere within a space. A network of overlapping radar sensors can provide comprehensive coverage with virtually no blind spots.
The system is also far more reliable than PIR, which can be fooled by things like sunlight, fans or HVAC airflow. The radar sensors use sophisticated algorithms to filter out non-human movements and vibrations, virtually eliminating false positives. For critical applications like healthcare or detention facilities, this reliability may be crucial. The system can be trusted to maintain continuous awareness of patient or inmate locations without the gaps or errors inherent in PIR-based solutions.
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