Microwave breast imaging sensor using compact and directive antenna with fixed mainbeam direction

The design of a compact directive antenna for use in microwave imaging systems for early breast cancer detection is presented. The proposed element uses a modified coplanar waveguide fed tapered slot antenna. To improve the directivity and fix the direction of the mainbeam, the proposed antenna uses curved slots located near the open end of the tapered aperture and a semi-rectangular slot at the back of one of the conducting flares. The presented performance of the antenna indicates directive properties with fixed direction of end-fire radiation and distortionless time domain operation across the band from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. The proposed antenna is used to construct a circular planar array. The imaging results for a cylindrical breast modal is developed using confocal radar image reconstruction algorithm.