A Prototype Microwave Link for a Wireless MRI Coil Array

Motivation: MRI coil array cables provide an obstacle to positioning the array and form-fitting it to the patient, increasing scan times and reducing patient comfort. Goal(s): We aim to remove the coil array cable by developing a scalable microwave link to wirelessly transmit digitized coil data from the array. Approach: Using off-the-shelf components, we constructed a custom microwave link consisting of a test transmitter that sends encoded pseudo-random data and a receiver that streams recovered data out over ethernet. Results: We present a prototype wireless link capable of transferring error-free data above at least 200 Mbps over distances up to several meters. Impact: This microwave link prototype brings us closer to a wireless MRI system, which will streamline the imaging process by enabling faster and more effective positioning of the coil array on the patient, reducing scan times and improving patient comfort.