Low-cost portable system prototype for breast cancer detection using UWB signals

Abstract

This work reports the realization of a microwave imaging system prototype focused on low-cost and portability. A power loss study in the several breast layers has been done, pointing to a 5.0 cm penetration system capacity. A mechanical and dielectric coupling medium was proposed together with a phantom made to mimic the internal breast tissues. Firmware, software and protocol were developed to work on an embedded UWB transceiver platform. The scattered collected signals were applied to the improved confocal algorithm, and the preliminary results showed that the system was feasible to detect 1.4 cm tumors located at 3.3 cm deep in the breast with a signal to clutter ratio of 2.17 dB and signal to mean ratio of 13.68 dB. This prototype will serve as a guideline towards a low-cost portable microwave imaging system that can be mass distributed in medical offices, stepping up the total of people with access to an early breast cancer diagnosis.