Non-contact biopotential sensor for remote human detection

This paper describes a new low-cost, low-noise displacement current sensor developed for non-contact measurements of human biopotentials and well suited for detection of human presence applications. The sensor employs a simple, improvised transimpedance amplifier that eliminates the need for ultra high values resistors normally needed in current amplifiers required for this type of measurements. The sensor provides an operational bandwidth of 0.5 – 250 Hz, and a noise level of 7.8μV/√Hz at 1 Hz down to 30nV/√Hz at 1 kHz. Reported experimental results demonstrate the sensor’s capability in measuring heart related biopotentials within 0.5m off-body distance, and muscle related biopotentials within 10m no obstacles off-body distance, and 5m off-body distance with a concrete wall in between.