Analysis of Ultrawideband Microwave Imaging via Space Time beamforming algorithm in the frequency domain

Abstract

This paper focusses on the performance of an Ultrawideband V-slot, L-probe fed microstrip patch antenna array for the early detection of breast cancer. A 3×3 Ultrawideband array (44% bandwidth) is designed in a commercial electromagnetic software called FEKO. A 3-D breast model with a spherical tumor (5mm and 10mm) is illuminated by the antenna array and the backscattered electric field signals are received in the near field. The Microwave Imaging via Space Time (MIST) beamforming algorithm has been implemented in the frequency domain using MATLAB for the image reconstruction of the breast. Quality metrics like dynamic range, peak to side lobe level ratio and radiometric resolution have been evaluated as 20.1487 dB, 3.974 dB and 1.8644 dB, respectively, with this design.