Waveform Analysis of UWB GPR Antennas

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Electromagnetics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems are ultra-wideband (UWB) devices emitting short-time pulses.
• GPR signals undergo attenuation and distortion from the propagation medium, along with noise and interference.
• Accurate interpretation of GPR data requires deep knowledge of the emitted source wavelet.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the source wavelet emitted by a ground-coupled antenna.
• To provide essential signal knowledge for advanced GPR data processing techniques.
• To enhance the interpretation of GPR data by characterizing the antenna's emitted signal.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a series of tests to analyze the GPR antenna's output.
• Focused on a ground-coupled antenna with a 500 MHz central frequency.
• Characterized the temporal log of attenuated and distorted pulses.

Main Results:

• Successfully determined the source wavelet characteristics of the tested GPR antenna.
• Provided a foundational understanding of the emitted signal for specific GPR applications.
• Established a basis for applying advanced processing techniques requiring precise wavelet information.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of the source wavelet is essential for effective GPR data interpretation and advanced processing.
• Characterizing the emitted wavelet from specific antennas, like the 500 MHz ground-coupled type, is vital.
• This research contributes to improving the accuracy and information extraction from GPR surveys.