Technology Innovation Institute bags top honours at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards

Latest achievement to encourage more cutting-edge capabilities across TII’s niche research centres to serve innovations and innovators.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) allows different electronic devices that are near one another to operate without interference, a well-known phenomenon of parasitic electromagnetic coupling.

Given the growing number of devices that are connected wirelessly today, EMC is a significant component of the electronics design process. With standards now implemented and enforced globally, manufacturers must ensure that new electronic products meet the relevant EMC standards.

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Labs at the Directed Energy Research Centre (DERC) under Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), are the first such facility in the Arab world to enable greater autonomy when it comes to innovation that fast tracks the transition from lab to market.

DERC’s three laboratories including an EMC semi-anechoic chamber, a pulsed power laboratory, and a low-noise emanation laboratory, enable key technologies to be evaluated against electromagnetic compatibility and interference by reproducing man-made and natural electromagnetic hazards in a controlled and safe environment.

The direct connection between the two chambers designed by DERC allows multiple experiments involving hundreds of kV nanosecond pulses and multi-megawatt microwave systems.

Designed to host different categories of equipment such as connected objects of the Internet of Things, drones and autonomous cars, telecommunications equipment, medical devices, automotive equipment, and IT equipment, the laboratories are fully automated for tests and measurements.

A unique low-noise emanation lab has been built to DERC specifications that allow for the study of very low noises emitted by electronic systems.

Considered the first and the largest in the Arab world, DERC’s EMC labs that were launched in March 2021, are well aligned with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s “Operation 300 Bn” that aims to advance the country’s industrial sector and increase its value to AED300 billion by 2030.

In the first six months since they were established, DERC has supported telecommunication companies and autonomous systems manufacturers to advance their products with respect to EMC compliance.

In-house research activities in these laboratories have led to the development of an electromagnetic waveform manipulation system based on Frequency Selective Surfaces, as well as the development of innovative antennas and sensors and lightweight lightning protection technologies.

For these advancements, Technology Innovation Institute won the “Hardware - Electronics” award at the recently concluded Middle East Technology Excellence Awards hosted by Asian Business Review.

The awards programme recognises successful groundbreaking projects, digital services, reimagined strategies, and technological initiatives in the Middle East to honour the technology champions of the region.

As the UAE’s research ecosystem and advanced technology aspirations deepen, TII and DERC anticipate a growing demand for the testing facilities from across the region and beyond.

The EMC labs will help innovators and local industry to leverage ATRC’s know-how through MoIAT and drive a world-leading industrial ecosystem that fosters an ever-growing number of advanced technology breakthroughs. They will also help in job creation for the UAE youth.

Most importantly, the labs will facilitate the transition from lab to market and ensure commercial viability and long-term economic sustainability for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.