Theoretical Study and Simulation of Two Radiometers for Breast Cancer Detection

Abstract

A malignant tumor’s internal temperature is a reliable indicator of the tumor’s rate of growth. Based on this principle, this research explores the use of microwave radiometry, a technique that measures the thermal power emitted by human tissues, as a potential diagnostic tool for breast cancer. The study presents a theoretical analysis and MATLAB simulation of two microwave radiometer designs—the total power radiometer and the dicke radiometer—tailored for non-invasive breast tissue temperature measurement. Operating in the 2 to 4 GHz frequency range, this passive microwave radiometer is designed to detect temperature variations at specific depths, enabling the identification of malignancies. By comparing the two circuit designs, this work aims to assess their performance in terms of sensitivity, circuit complexity, and noise to determine the optimal approach for clinical application.