Analysis of Time Domain Ultra-wide-band Radar Signals Reflected by Buried Objects

The aim of this work is the analysis of the signal composition observed in a single radar sweep during an underground investigation with an ultra-wide-band (UWB) radar. The electromagnetic (EM) response of a buried object, the radar pulse spectrum and the antenna set-up, all strongly influence the accuracy of the time of flight estimate. The analysis of the time domain signal will discuss the e®ects of the antenna coupling with the ground (First arrival pulse from air-soil interface) and the interference of overlapping pulses due to multiple interfaces and multiple reflections. The results of this analysis are based on simulations with parameters characteristic of an investigation of layered medium and signal processing schemes to extract information about soil and buried objects composition will be addressed.