MICROWAVE TOMOGRAPHY: EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP FOR 3D OBJECTS CHARACTERIZATION USING 10 GHZ MONOPOLE ANTENNAS

This paper explores the experimental setup for measurements and material characterisation of a 3-D objects using microwave tomography technique in a high frequency testing facility. Experiment was conducted using state- of-the art vector network analyser (VNA) with capability of operating up 1.1 THz. Monopole antennas operating at 10 GHz were used to investigate how 3-D printed objects scatter or guide the signals at high frequencies. VNA was calibrated using SOLT calibration standard before starting measurements. Experiments using 3-D objects fabricated with wood, metal, glass, and aluminium were conducted and analysed based on the scattering parameters to identify the degree of signal reflection (S11/S33) and transmission (S13/S31) in the presence of the 3-D object within the imaging area. Results showed that 3-D object fabricated with the wooden material has the highest transmission coefficient of -32 dB compared with metallic material with -52- and -53-dB transmission coefficient.