Breast Cancer Imaging using a 24 GHz Ultra-Wideband MIMO FMCW Radar: System Considerations and First Imaging Results

Microwave imaging for breast cancer detection has been widely studied as an alternative technique to the conventional X-ray mammography. The systems developed until now operate at frequencies of a few gigahertz. This limits the achievable image quality. Higher operational frequencies are advantageous for achieving a better resolution, at the expense of a lower penetration depth. The downscaling of components together with an integrated radar transceiver would lead to the development of a compact and cost-effective radar imaging system. This paper investigates the possibility of using an integrated ultra-wideband frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system operating at a center frequency of 20 GHz and bandwidth of 8 GHz for breast cancer imaging. System considerations are developed to assess the tumor detectability based on the signal attenuation within the breast and the radar sensitivity. A numerical simulation is conducted and first imaging results are presented.