Ultra-Wideband Antennas for Biomedical Imaging Applications: A Survey.

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics and Applied Physics
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Antenna Engineering

Background:

• Microwave imaging requires improved radiating systems and identification algorithms.
• Antennas for near-field microwave imaging must meet demanding requirements, including close proximity operation, wide bandwidth, small size, and low cost.
• Ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna performance is crucial for near-field microwave imaging systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of various ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna designs for near-field microwave imaging.
• To classify UWB antennas based on manufacturing technology and radiative performance.
• To analyze radiation mechanisms and techniques for size reduction and bandwidth enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and classification of existing UWB antenna designs.
• Analysis of antenna performance metrics relevant to near-field microwave imaging.
• Categorization based on manufacturing technologies (e.g., printed, reconfigurable) and radiative characteristics.

Main Results:

• A systematic classification of UWB antennas for near-field microwave imaging is presented.
• Key performance parameters such as bandwidth, gain, and radiation patterns are discussed.
• Various design strategies for miniaturization and bandwidth extension are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The review consolidates current knowledge on UWB antennas for near-field microwave imaging.
• Understanding different antenna designs and their characteristics is vital for advancing microwave imaging technology.
• Future research should focus on optimizing antennas for specific imaging applications and manufacturing constraints.