Ground Penetrating Radar Antenna Evaluation

Abstract

The mission of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, Maryland, EOD Department, is to utilize the latest available technology to advance EOD equipment and techniques. This mission includes the test and evaluation of current and developmental systems which will be discussed in this paper. EOD exploits multiple physical phenomena in its task of ordnance detection, including chemical and electromagnetic. Electromagnetics include RF fields, light (including laser, infrared and ultraviolet), and nuclear radiation. For each phenomena, there may be several different technologies used to provide multi-mode detection capability. This study focuses on the electromagnetic subset of detection RADAR, and specifically Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), which is distinguished by its earth surface domain and generally downward field of view. The paper will give a very brief overview of GPR, theory and equipment, its use in EOD, and then will focus on the RF test and measurement of electromagnetic fields generated by GPR systems and antennas. An RF antenna/system test plan will be detailed, along with the design and development of antenna gain and radiation pattern measurement techniques. The measured data from GPR technology will be graphically displayed, analyzed and compared in terms of the potential for GPR effectiveness.