Planar array antenna for ultra wideband microwave imaging system

Abstract

This paper reports the design of a planar antenna array for an ultra-wideband (UWB) microwave imaging system aimed for the operation in the band from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. The proposed planar array includes 6 × 2 UWB antenna elements in the form of compact (22 mm × 40 mm) corrugated tapered slot antennas (TSAs). The antenna elements are designed to operate in a coupling medium to improve the matching with the imaged object, and thus to increase the dynamic range of the imaging system. They are covered with a dielectric material to protect them from the adverse effects of the coupling liquid. The designed array is tested in the presence of a multilayer phantom representing an imaged object. The simulation performance of the designed array shows good impedance match and low mutual coupling of its elements and thus its readiness for use in UWB imaging system.