# Professor Honored for Pioneering Heartbeat Radar Technology Academic receives prestigious award for developing non-contact vital sign monitoring systems. - **Source:** [Taipei Times](https://www.taipeitimes.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4724809b-e43e-4d8a-bdb3-75f28d1bcde2 ## Prestigious Academic Recognition The Ministry of Education recently awarded Professor Horng Tzyy-sheng of National Sun Yat-sen University the Academic Award in engineering and applied sciences. This distinction honors his pioneering work in self-injection-locked radar technology. The award highlights his significant contributions to electronic engineering, specifically regarding non-contact sensing systems that integrate artificial intelligence and telecommunications. ## Advancing 4D Sensing Capabilities Known as 4D Sensing, this technology integrates sensors with Wi-Fi and advanced telecommunications to monitor human vital signs without physical contact. By removing the need for wearable equipment or skin contact, it enhances health monitoring for dependents. This innovation has already been utilized to remotely track quarantined individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. ## Global Patent and Application The technology currently holds over 80 patents globally and is available for authorized use across various sectors. Notably, US farms and ranches have secured a US$2 million permit package to implement these systems. Beyond medical monitoring, the radar technology is actively applied in livestock management and sophisticated mobile network infrastructure projects. ## Integrated Sensing and Communication Horng’s research team successfully developed Taiwan’s first integrated sensing and communication prototype. This system simultaneously transmits data while tracking the position, bearing, and speed of objects within a network. These capabilities are essential for modern smart homes, healthcare environments, and advanced environmental perception tasks, marking a shift in how networks function. ## Semiconductor Industry Contributions Beyond radar, Horng conducts research on the transmission characteristics of semiconductors, packaging, and motherboards. His findings have directly influenced technology utilized by major chipmakers, including ASE Technology Holding Co. These efforts bridge the gap between theoretical electronic engineering research and practical, large-scale industrial manufacturing processes within the competitive semiconductor sector. ## Distinguished Research Career Horng became an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow in 2016, cementing his status in the global engineering community. He has also received the National Science and Technology Council’s Outstanding Research Award twice. These accolades reflect his long-standing commitment to academic excellence and his consistent impact on applied engineering sciences. ## Advocating for Talent Retention Upon receiving the award, Horng expressed gratitude for the university's long-term support of his research endeavors. He emphasized the necessity for the nation to create more prizes and career opportunities to retain top-tier talent. Retaining skilled researchers is vital for maintaining a competitive edge in rapidly evolving fields like telecommunications and AI. ## Future Research Implications The integration of radar with AI and next-generation telecommunications represents a significant leap in sensory technology. As these systems become more accessible, they will likely transform remote patient care and industrial automation. Continued investment in such interdisciplinary research remains crucial for developing scalable solutions to complex modern challenges in global technology. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/11/11/2003867523 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._