(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) Sharjah, UAE,November 202- Researchers at American University of Sharjah (AUS) have developed a compact radar transceiver that delivers advanced precision and dynamic range using low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) technology. The patented system offers high-resolution detection in a portable form, opening new possibilities in transportation safety, defense, civil protection and healthcare applications.

Developed by Dr. Lutfi Albasha and Dr. Hasan Mir, both Professors in Electrical Engineering at AUS, the invention uses a novel signal processing approach that can detect subtle motion differences that standard radar systems usually miss. The compact, low-power design also delivers high accuracy and range while reducing size, cost and energy loss, marking a major step forward in portable radar technology.

“This invention combines advanced signal processing with a compact, low-power design to detect and classify small or low-flying objects such as drones with accuracy,” said Dr. Albasha.“Unlike traditional radars made for large targets, it captures fine motion signatures, allowing it to identify subtle movements like a hovering drone, human motion or structural vibrations. The system is adaptable, networkable and reliable in all weather and lighting conditions. It also protects privacy, which makes it ideal for a wide range of civil applications.”

The radar was co-developed with Mansour Taghadosi, a master's student at AUS at the time of the research, who contributed to the PCB design. The radar concept and signal-processing framework were jointly conceived and developed by Dr. Albasha and Dr. Mir. The design also supports networked operation, enabling multiple radar units to share and fuse data intelligently to create a wide-area detection system that is both scalable and cost-effective.

According to Dr. Albasha, the idea first took shape through collaboration with the UAE Army and Civil Defence, who faced challenges in detecting and identifying small drones and low-altitude aerial objects that conventional radar systems often missed.

“Our conversations revealed a need for a compact, power-efficient and intelligent radar that could operate reliably in complex urban and desert environments,” said Dr. Albasha.“Building on that insight, we began developing a new radar architecture and signal-processing approach capable of distinguishing drones, people and vehicles, even in cluttered or low-visibility conditions. Our search forced us to rethink radars from the ground up, which eventually led us to this new patent.”

Testing conducted in AUS laboratories demonstrated that the radar's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) matched, and in several cases surpassed, the performance of larger, more expensive radars.

“Our system consistently detected and classified small, low-flying objects such as drones with high accuracy, even in cluttered or low-visibility environments,” said Dr. Mir.“The ability to detect faint signals amid noise, combined with compact size, low power consumption and quick deployment, makes this system both portable and technically advanced. It is a truly practical and high-precision solution for real-world civil applications.”

The radar is suitable for a range of commercial applications, including airspace safety and drone management, civil defence and emergency response, transportation and infrastructure monitoring, environmental observation and healthcare.

“This radar can be used in many fields,” said Dr. Albasha.“It can help detect unauthorized drones near airports or public events, support search-and-rescue teams by locating people through smoke, and make roads safer by monitoring traffic and pedestrian movement. It can also track vibrations in bridges and towers to predict maintenance needs, monitor wildlife and environmental changes in low visibility, and even support healthcare by detecting motion or breathing without cameras-offering a private, non-intrusive way to care for patients.”

The research team is currently in discussion with several UAE organizations to explore applications and development pathways for the technology.

“We are currently seeking financial support and a physical space large enough to build the entire system, including the antenna beam array, and to conduct full-scale field trials,” said Dr. Albasha.“Our goal is to develop a deployable system that contributes directly to national and regional needs in safety, health and smart infrastructure.”

The invention has been officially patented in the USA and UAE, reflecting AUS' ongoing leadership in applied research across electronics, communication systems and intelligent sensing technologies.

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