Sensors 2017, 17(12), 2823; https://doi.org/10.3390/s17122823
Parameter Search Algorithms for Microwave Radar-Based Breast Imaging: Focal Quality Metrics as Fitness Functions
Declan O’Loughlin 1,*
, Bárbara L. Oliveira 1, Muhammad Adnan Elahi 1, Martin Glavin 1, Edward Jones 1, Milica Popović 2 and Martin O’Halloran 1
, Bárbara L. Oliveira 1, Muhammad Adnan Elahi 1, Martin Glavin 1, Edward Jones 1, Milica Popović 2 and Martin O’Halloran 11
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
2
McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 0G4
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 26 October 2017 / Revised: 17 November 2017 / Accepted: 2 December 2017 / Published: 6 December 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors for Microwave Imaging and Detection)
Abstract
Inaccurate estimation of average dielectric properties can have a tangible impact on microwave radar-based breast images. Despite this, recent patient imaging studies have used a fixed estimate although this is known to vary from patient to patient. Parameter search algorithms are a promising technique for estimating the average dielectric properties from the reconstructed microwave images themselves without additional hardware. In this work, qualities of accurately reconstructed images are identified from point spread functions. As the qualities of accurately reconstructed microwave images are similar to the qualities of focused microscopic and photographic images, this work proposes the use of focal quality metrics for average dielectric property estimation. The robustness of the parameter search is evaluated using experimental dielectrically heterogeneous phantoms on the three-dimensional volumetric image. Based on a very broad initial estimate of the average dielectric properties, this paper shows how these metrics can be used as suitable fitness functions in parameter search algorithms to reconstruct clear and focused microwave radar images. View Full-Text
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
O’Loughlin, D.; Oliveira, B.L.; Elahi, M.A.; Glavin, M.; Jones, E.; Popović, M.; O’Halloran, M. Parameter Search Algorithms for Microwave Radar-Based Breast Imaging: Focal Quality Metrics as Fitness Functions. Sensors 2017, 17, 2823.
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.