Phase-based window function and CD-DMAS beamforming for microwave breast cancer detection

Abstract

Multistatic, radar-based, microwave breast cancer detection provides more information in a shorter period of time than the monostatic approach. However, artefact removal is harder in the multistatic case due to antenna coupling. In this study, a multi-step imaging system is proposed for the multistatic approach. The first step is responsible for artefact removal, and it includes signals grouping, windowing, filtering, and merging. The second step utilises combined doubled delay-multiply-and-sum beamforming, and produces the breast images. To test the proposed system, a heterogeneous breast phantom having two tumours was simulated and illuminated by ultra-wideband signals in multistatic scan. The simulation results show the success of the proposed system in both eliminating the artefact and clutter in the breast phantom image.