Abstract
This thesis introduces a design of an array of compact patch antennas to
enhance the operation of a breast microwave imaging system that uses
microwave tomography. The need for medical breast imaging arises after
the recorded high rates of breast cancer injuries and deaths between women
in Egypt and all over the world. Since the present breast imaging
techniques have common disadvantages like using ionizing radiation and
demanding high cost, the search for alternative breast imaging modalities
is initiated. A very strong candidate is microwave breast imaging, type of
which is microwave tomography.
Medical imaging through microwave tomography is a very challenging
process with bunch of difficulties regarding data measurement and
processing. These difficulties appear in the design of the imaging system
either on the level of the individual sensor or on the level of the overall
array. A discussion of the theoretical foundations of microwave
tomography is provided to clarify these difficulties and the restrictions
imposed by them on the design process. These foundations also serve to
understand the various aspects concerning the modelling of the imaging
system into commercial simulation packets. That acquired grasp of the
imaging problem is accompanied throughout the design process.
The design process starts by the design of the individual element. From
several possible types of candidates, patch antennas are used. A
justification for that choice is explained. The design methodology starts
with simple rectangular patches, and then applies the slot loading technique
in step by step procedure to achieve the design requirements. After the final
design is reached, the final element is fabricated, and its operation is tested
through measurements. The measurement results show very good match
with simulation results.
The second task in the design process is to formulate the complete array.
The array design is a multi-variable problem with multiple design goals
and is not feasible to be set in a single tractable optimization problem. An
alternative approach depending on the best positioning of any two adjacent
neighbors is taken to formulate the array, tracing the minimum mutual
coupling, and positioning the elements in the available space. This
approach produces some design rules which lead to the suggestion of two
possible array configurations. These two possible array configurations are
studied, and a specific configuration is preferred after comparing their
operation.
Since the microwave tomography problem has very large computational
complexity, the available computational facilities could not help to produce
the imaging results. As a future work, faster forward solvers with better
facilities are going to be used to produce the imaging results. Alternative
approaches to the imaging problem, among other suggestions are included
in the future work in the last chapter.
