Assessment of key parameters in a microwave imaging system design for breast cancer detection
David Ponce, Alexandre de Jesus Aragão, Bruno Sanches, Wilhelmus Van Noije
Abstract
This paper presents an assessment for a breast cancer detection microwave imaging system design, employing a multi-software simulation framework. The work aimed to identify circuits design key parameters to obtain quality images able to reveal malignant tumors. A set of backscattering signals were extracted from a 32 antenna system simulated scenario, and applied to a simulated proposed receiver model, including a Low Noise Amplifier, a Phased Locked Loop and Analog to Digital Converter. The design and implementation constraints arising in the context of event-driven simulation are discussed, targeting the most feasible key parameters for the circuit specifications. The results pointed out that better quality images with Signal to Mean Ratio greater than 11 dB can be obtained by choosing a 12-bit Analog to Digital Converter with 20 GHz of equivalent sampling frequency, a Root Mean Square maximum jitter of 0.1 ps, and implementing a Low Noise Amplifier architecture with a flatter frequency response.