UWB SAR medical imaging via broadband minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) algorithm

In this paper a synthetic aperture (SA)-based ultra wideband (UWB) imaging system with broadband adaptive processing is proposed for general medical applications (e.g. breast cancer, water accumulation in bladder, etc.). For the signal processing, a broadband version of minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) is implemented. To demonstrate the efficiency of the method, it is applied to an example scenario of breast cancer detection. Simulation results corresponding to a 3D body-attached breast model with homogenous breast tissue are provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed imaging system. The integration of UWB concept with SA principle is proved to have a high potential for practical medical imaging purposes.