S--parameter calibration procedure for multiport microwave imaging systems

Multitude of antennas are typically used in microwave imaging systems. Here we outline a simple and effective calibration method for multiport imaging systems. By using only one additional component, an electronic calibration module (ECal), one port is calibrated and the calibration plane is thereby moved to the antenna connector. Assuming all antennas interact with the test phantom in the same way, the one-port calibration is transferred to all other antennas. For full calibration including the transmission path between antennas, the “unknown thru” technique is used. This calibration procedure is simple and it can be fully automated, and no RF components are perturbed.