Fear, EliseGarrett, John Daniel2014-09-122014-11-172014-09-122014Garrett, J. D. (2014). Average Dielectric Property Analysis of Non-Uniform Structures: Tissue Phantom Development, Ultra-Wideband Transmission Measurements, and Signal Processing Techniques (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25086http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1747A new technique to analyze the average dielectric properties of complex structures has been developed. This technique uses microwave transmission measurements to estimate the complex permittivity of the object-under-test over a range of frequencies. First, time-gating is used to reduce multipath. Second, the antenna response is deconvolved from the measured data. Finally, with the object-under-test's response isolated, the average properties are estimated. To test and validate this work, dielectric materials with properties representing biological tissues and robust mechanical properties were developed. Reconfigurable tissue phantoms were created from combinations of these materials. In addition to testing the average property algorithms, these phantoms are well suited to testing a variety of microwave imaging methods. Complex breast phantoms were used to test the average dielectric property estimation technique, and accurate results were found. This technique was then applied to measurements of human breast tissue, and reasonable properties were estimated.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--BiomedicalEngineering--Electronics and ElectricalDielectric MaterialsDielectric MeasurementsBiomedical EngineeringBiomedical Imagingmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25086