Planar microstrip antenna array for hybrid electro-biomechanical breast imaging

The design of a compact wideband antenna array for use in microwave-mechanical hybrid system aimed at the early detection of breast cancer is presented. The proposed array uses probe-fed planar circular-shaped patch antennas placed on a movable plate. The elements of the antenna array are used to transmit a wideband pulse towards the breast and measure the backscattered pulse before and after compressing the breast by a controlled force applied at the top of the movable plate. To improve the bandwidth of the antenna array, each element of the array uses curved slots located on both the patch and the ground plane, and an annular ring around the circular patch. The presented performance of the antenna indicates wideband operation across the band from 2.4 GHz to 3.9 GHz.