Abstract: Microwave imaging equipment utilizing an array of antennas operated to collect electromagnetic field information for a material being imaged. Image processing method and apparatus use the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) and drastically reduce the time required to process the measured data and estimate the properties of the material. Prior to interrogating the material, interaction matrices are generated and stored for future DDA calculations. The interaction matrices relate to the interaction between the antennas, the operating frequency, the background medium, and the location of the discretizing dipoles. An initial guess of the material properties is made and the resultant field is estimated. These results are compared to the measured results and incremental changes in the material property are computed. The updated material properties are used to recalculate the field. Comparison of the field to the measured field and updating of the material properties continues until an end criterion is satisfied.

Abstract: Provided are microwave image reconstruction apparatus and method. An apparatus for diagnosing a breast cancer, includes: a plurality of antennas for inserting a breast and configured to transmit and receive the electromagnetic wave; an electromagnetic wave transceiver configured to receive phase and amplitude information of the electromagnetic wave; an initial distribution value provider configured to set an initial dielectric constant and conductivity distribution value for dielectric constant and conductivity of a breast of a patient and in the tank; a first image reconstruction unit configured to transform the amplitude information of the electromagnetic wave through log transform and to obtain a first image by calculating a phase and amplitude information value of electric field generated from the electromagnetic wave; and a second image reconstruction unit configured to transform the first image in a value in a complex number form and to transform values to a second image.