UWB high gain antenna array for SAR based breast cancer detection system

Microwave breast cancer detection has become an attractive method for cancer early detection process. These systems uses directional and efficient antenna for transmitting and receiving signals. This paper is focused on the implementation of ultra-wideband, high gain, and directional microstrip antenna array for breast cancer detection system. Metamaterial cells are used for antenna gain enhancement purpose. Permeability and permittivity of metamaterial unit cell are obtained all over the operating bandwidth. Based on the metamaterial cell performance its geometry is altered to enhance the antenna gain at specific frequency band. Ultra wide band (UWB) unequal power divider is used to feed the proposed four elements antenna array based on Chebyshev excitation method. The proposed antenna has reasonable 3 dB beamwidth (3dBBW) and gain of 17.7 degrees and 14.5 dB at 4.12 GHz, respectively. The operating bandwidth (BW) which extends from 5.6 GHz to 10.9 GHz. The proposed antenna is fabricated, measured, and good agreement is obtained between simulated and measured results. Simulated specific absorption rate SAR is obtained and investigated for breast phantom where a small tumor is placed. The SAR results show clearly the tumor location in breast tissues which ensures the suitability of the proposed antenna array for cancer detection system.