UWB cylindrical microwave imaging system with novel image reconstruction algorithm

In this paper, we apply an ultra wideband radar technique to detect and locate small cylindrical objects in a dielectric cylindrical body emulating the woman's breast. We propose a new image reconstruction algorithm which exploits the monopulse radar principle involving a 2-element array antenna. Using the difference of two signals received by the elements of this array, the part of the signal due to a background being symmetric with respect to the axis of the array is removed. The remaining part is the signal which is due to a scattering object located in the off-axis position of the array. The acquired set of difference signals obtained for various locations of the probing antenna is suitably scaled and mapped to show an internal image of the scanned body. The operation of this system including the new image reconstruction algorithm is demonstrated via full EM simulations and experiment. The proposed imaging approach should be of considerable interest to researchers working in the field of microwave techniques for breast cancer detection and location.