Systems and methods for detecting motion using wireless communication signals

1. A method for detecting motion, the method comprising:

at a first wireless communication device capable of wirelessly communicating with a second wireless communication device, receiving channel state information;

calculating a nulling matrix based on the received channel state information;

applying the calculated nulling matrix to a plurality of short packets scheduled to be periodically transmitted from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device;

periodically transmitting the plurality of short packets with the nulling matrix applied to the second wireless communication device;

receiving, from the second wireless communication device, received signal strength information (RSSI) determined for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets; and

making a motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the RSSI received from the second wireless communication device.

2. The method for detecting motion according to claim 1 , wherein receiving channel state information comprises performing a sounding procedure.

3. The method for detecting motion according to claim 2 , wherein performing a sounding procedure comprises:

periodically transmitting a sounding packet from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device to determine characteristics of spatial wireless channels;

receiving, in response to the sounding packet, feedback packet from the second wireless communication device derived from wireless channel estimations that are based on received versions of the sounding packet; and

determining a steering matrix based on the sounding packet and the feedback packet.

4. The method for detecting motion according to claim 3 , the method further comprising:

computing the nulling matrix orthogonal to a channel direction based on the determined steering matrix obtained from the sounding procedure.

5. The method for detecting motion according to claim 3 , wherein the sounding packet is transmitted to the second wireless communication device at regular time intervals.

6. The method for detecting motion according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of short packets is transmitted periodically to the second wireless communication device during each time interval between the transmission of sounding packets.

7. The method for detecting motion according to claim 1 , wherein making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information comprises:

determining the received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets;

comparing the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device to a predetermined threshold received signal strength; and

in response to determining that the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined threshold, making a motion detection decision.

8. The method for detecting motion according to claim 1 , wherein making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information comprises:

detecting an increase in the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for one or more short packets.

9. The method for detecting motion according to claim 1 , wherein making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information comprises:

determining the received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets;

comparing the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device to historical received signal strength information; and

in response to determining that the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device deviates from the historical received signal strength information, making a motion detection decision.

10. The method for detecting motion according to claim 1 , the method further comprising:

sounding an alarm in response to making the motion detection decision.

11. A system for detecting motion, the system comprising:

a receiver at a first wireless communication device capable of wirelessly communicating with a second wireless communication device configured to:

receive channel state information; and

receive received signal strength information from the second wireless communication device;

control circuitry configured to:

calculate a nulling matrix based on the received channel state information;

apply the calculated nulling matrix to a plurality of short packets scheduled to be periodically transmitted to the second wireless communication device;

periodically transmit, via a transmitter at the first wireless communication device, the plurality of short packets with the nulling matrix applied to the second wireless communication device;

receive, from the second wireless communication device, received signal strength information (RSSI) determined for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets; and

make a motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the RSSI received from the second wireless communication device.

12. The system for detecting motion according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry, in response to receiving channel state information is further configured to:

perform a sounding procedure.

13. The system for detecting motion according to claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry, when performing the sounding procedure, is further configured to:

periodically transmit, via the transmitter, a sounding packet from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device to determine characteristics of spatial wireless channels;

receive, via the receiver, in response to the sounding packet, feedback packet from the second wireless communication device derived from wireless channel estimations that are based on received versions of the sounding packet; and

determine a steering matrix based on the sounding packet and the feedback packet.

14. The system for detecting motion according to claim 13 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

compute the nulling matrix orthogonal to a channel direction based on the determined steering matrix obtained from the sounding procedure.

15. The system for detecting motion according to claim 13 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the sounding packet to the second wireless communication device at regular time intervals.

16. The system for detecting motion according to claim 15 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of short packets periodically to the second wireless communication device during each time interval between the transmission of sounding packets.

17. The system for detecting motion according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry, when making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information, is further configured to:

determine the received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets;

compare the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device to a predetermined threshold received signal strength; and

in response to determining that the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined threshold, make a motion detection decision.

18. The system for detecting motion according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry, when making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information, is further configured to:

detect an increase in the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for one or more short packets.

19. The system for detecting motion according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry, when making the motion detection decision based on detecting a change in the received signal strength information, is further configured to:

determine the received signal strength at the second wireless communication device for each of the transmitted plurality of short packets;

compare the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device to historical received signal strength information; and

in response to determining that the determined received signal strength at the second wireless communication device deviates from the historical received signal strength information, make a motion detection decision.

20. The system for detecting motion according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

sound an alarm in response to making the motion detection decision.