A new approach for classification of human gait based on time-frequency feature representations

We introduce a new and simple technique for human gait classification based on the time-frequency analysis of radar data. The focus is on the classification of arm movements to discern free vs. confined arm swinging motion. The latter may arise in hostage situation or may be indicative to carrying objects with one or both hands. The motion signatures corresponding to the arm and leg movements are both extracted from the time frequency representation of the micro-Doppler. The time-frequency analysis is performed using the multiwindow S-method. With the Hermite functions acting as multiwindows, it is shown that the Hermite S-method provides an efficient representation of the complex Doppler associated with human walking. The proposed human gait classification technique utilizes the arm positive and negative Doppler frequencies and their relative time of occurrence. It is tested on various real radar signals and shown to provide an accurate classification. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.