A low-cost UWB microwave imaging system for early-stage breast cancer detection

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a modern and effective approach with high resilience for microwave imaging of breast tumor detection using 12 antennas is presented. The proposed antenna array operates from 3.1 GHz to 11.6 GHz according to FCC frequencies, which enables the imaging system to mix two advantages at the same time, deep penetration, and high resolution for accurate image acquisition. The suggested antenna array has a compact size of 21 × 21 × 12 cm 3 , this allows for the integration of as many elements as feasible, provided that the coupling between them remains within an acceptable range. This ensures improved accuracy and resolution in the resulting image. The 3D system is arranged in a circular manner around the phantom to cover all breast positions. A measurement campaign will then be made in different scenarios to detect the tumor using two artificial breasts with and without tumor, their dielectric properties and physiological arrangement approximate those of a natural breast. The proposed microwave imaging system can detect and identify all targets, making it one of the most effective systems for detecting breast tumors.