Exploring the Potential of Near-Range Radar in Non-Invasive Neuroimaging

About the Project

1. Introduction and Motivation Non-invasive neuroimaging is a cornerstone of modern neuroscience and clinical diagnostics. Techniques such as MRI, EEG, and MEG have advanced our understanding of the brain, but they come with significant limitations—high costs, immobility, limited spatial or temporal resolution, and the need for specialized environments. In contrast, radar-based sensing technologies offer a promising alternative, with the potential for portable, low-cost, and real-time monitoring of physiological signals. This project explores the feasibility and potential of near-range microwave radar as a novel, non-invasive modality for monitoring brain activity and cerebral conditions.
2. Objectives The primary goal of this project is to investigate the capabilities of near-range microwave radar in detecting and interpreting signals related to brain function. The specific objectives include:
   • Designing and optimizing a near-field radar system suitable for high-resolution neuroimaging applications.
   • Characterizing the electromagnetic interaction between microwave signals and cranial tissues to understand signal propagation, reflection, and attenuation.
   • Developing signal processing and machine learning algorithms to extract meaningful neural information from radar reflections.
   • Validating the radar system’s performance through phantom studies, simulations, and preliminary in-vivo experiments.
3. Background and State of the Art Near-range radar, particularly in the microwave and millimeter-wave frequency bands (e.g., 1–30 GHz), has shown promise in biomedical applications such as heartbeat and respiration monitoring. Recent advances in radar hardware miniaturization, wideband antennas, and high-speed data acquisition have opened new opportunities for its application in neuroimaging. While some pioneering studies have explored microwave imaging for brain stroke detection or cerebral hemorrhage, the full potential of radar for continuous, contactless monitoring of brain activity remains underexplored. One of the main challenges is achieving sufficient spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when penetrating the multilayered structure of the human head, including the scalp, skull, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue. This project addresses these challenges through a combination of system design, computational modelling, and intelligent signal analysis.
4. Methodology The project will proceed through the following key phases: Phase 1: System Development A compact near-range radar system will be designed, incorporating a vector network analyzer (VNA)-based or impulse radar platform, along with custom-designed wideband antennas. The system will be optimized for frequencies that balance penetration depth and resolution. Phase 2: Electromagnetic Modelling High-fidelity models of the human head will be created using anatomical data. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations (e.g., using CST Microwave Studio or HFSS) will be used to understand wave propagation and scattering behavior, and to identify optimal radar configurations and antenna placements. Phase 3: Signal Processing and AI Integration Advanced signal processing techniques (e.g., time gating, background subtraction, and clutter suppression) will be implemented. Machine learning and deep learning models will be trained to distinguish between brain states or anomalies based on radar signatures, using both simulated and experimental data. Phase 4: Experimental Validation Initial tests will be conducted on tissue-equivalent phantoms, followed by safe, low-power in-vivo experiments (subject to ethical approval). Data will be compared with EEG or fNIRS signals for cross-validation.
5. Anticipated Outcomes This project aims to deliver:
   • A proof-of-concept radar system capable of detecting cerebral activity or physiological changes non-invasively.
   • A validated electromagnetic model of radar-head interactions.
   • A signal processing pipeline for interpreting radar data in neuroimaging contexts.
   • A foundation for future clinical or wearable radar-based neuro-monitoring devices.
6. Impact and Future Directions If successful, this work could represent a transformative step toward portable and accessible brain monitoring tools, enabling applications in point-of-care diagnostics, mental health monitoring, sleep studies, and brain-computer interfaces. It would reduce reliance on expensive, stationary imaging systems and enable monitoring in non-clinical environments. Moreover, this research will contribute to the broader field of biomedical radar by extending its scope into the neural domain, potentially opening up avenues for radar-based neurotechnology that is safe, non-contact, and continuously deployable.

Funding Notes

there is no funding for this project

References

Islam, M.S., Islam, M.T. and Almutairi, A.F., 2022. A portable non-invasive microwave based head imaging system using compact metamaterial loaded 3D unidirectional antenna for stroke detection. Scientific Reports, 12(1), p.8895.
Alqadami, A.S., Bialkowski, K.S., Mobashsher, A.T. and Abbosh, A.M., 2018. Wearable electromagnetic head imaging system using flexible wideband antenna array based on polymer technology for brain stroke diagnosis. IEEE transactions on biomedical circuits and systems, 13(1), pp.124-134