Mitigating ground clutter effects with lightweight artificial dielectrics

Abstract

The problem of scattered and transmitted electromagnetic wave distortion by random rough ground surfaces can be reduced by using a lightweight dielectric matching layer. For mine detection applications, it is essential for this layer to be lightweight, low loss, readily conformable, and adaptable to different soil types. Arrays of metal-coated plastic spheres act as lossless artificial dielectrics with impedance determined by the volume packing fraction. By controlling the thickness of insulator surrounding each sphere, a close-packed array with the dielectric properties of soil can be created inside a compliant rolling bag that will conform to the rough surface of the ground. Since this artificial dielectric is matched to the soil, the ground surface interface is 'softened', without an abrupt transition from soil to air. Signals transmitted and received by GPR antennas immersed in the artificial dielectric within the bag will not be corrupted by ground surface clutter. Alternatively, an artificial dielectric layer on the ground with a planar air interface could be used to ensure that the surface reflection is a constant, well-calibrated signal. Computational models indicate complete removal of the ground clutter, even with occasional gaps between the artificial dielectric and the ground. Experimental studies with swept-frequency measurements and impulse GPR indicate that using this dielectric layer matching to a rough loamy soil ground surface is results in signals that are practically indistinguishable from those of an equivalent layer of the same type of soil.