Square Monopole Antenna Application in Localization of Tumors in Three Dimensions by Confocal Microwave Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection: Experimental Measurement

Abstract

In this paper, application of a designed antenna for microwave imaging is evaluated. In previous research, application of an UWB antenna for microwave imaging was investigated. To the best of the author’s knowledge, the designed antenna was the smallest UWB antenna designed at the time of publication, for breast cancer detection. The smaller size antennas can cause more clutter in the image while, on the other hand, make it possible to use more antennas in the array at the same surface. Therefore, the smaller size of the antenna makes microwave imaging more challenging. Simulation results showed successful detection of 10 mm and 5 mm tumors by 16 UWB antennas with the hemispherical arrangement. For signal processing, the Delay-Multiply-and-Sum Algorithm is used for image reconstruction. In this paper results of two experimental microwave imaging is presented. Two tumors at different locations are placed and microwave imaging is performed. The experimental proves that the designed antenna in an array of 16 antennas is capable of detecting the 5 mm tumor in different location.