Determination of the Best Ground Penetrating Radar Source Signal Type for the Accurate Location of Underground Utilities

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA204353 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This investigation was to determine the best ground-penetrating radar GPR source signal applicable for locating underground utilities and other construction obstacles. Four types of GPR systems were tested Two time-domain short-pulse radars, one swept frequency FM-CW system, and one stepped-FM system. The performance of the systems were compared by examining their time-domain or simulated time-domain responses. The detection problem was modeled analytically to evaluate the expected performance of the GPR systems. Tests were conducted in a scale-model tank with two soils of differing dielectric properties. Specially designed shielded triangular-sheet dipole antennas were used for comparison tests. It is concluded that a frequency-domain GPR based on a stepped-frequency design provides the highest performance capabilities. The general performance of a full-scale version of such a GPR was demonstrated in an outdoor test field containing buried plastic and metal pipes.

Author(s):
Thain, W. E.
Author Organization(s):
SYNTEK ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC MARIETTA GA
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. Dec 1986-Jun 1988
Pagination:
0248

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release, Document Partially Illegible
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited. Document Partially Illegible.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
NCEL-CR-88-013
Contract/Grant Number(s):
N62474-87-C-3056
Monitor Series:
CR-88-013, NFEC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_4.6.1_General Engineering; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_4.5.4_Requirements Definition; JCA_4.5_Operational Contract Support; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management
Modernization Areas:
Microelectronics
Communities of Interest:
Advanced Electronics
Descriptor(s):
*SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, *SHORT PULSES, *SOILS, *DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES, *BURIED OBJECTS, *PIPES, *RADAR, *DETECTION, CONSTRUCTION, RESPONSE, SIGNALS, BARRIERS, TIME DOMAIN, PLASTICS, OUTDOOR, ACCURACY, COMPARISON, PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING), SCALE MODELS, SOURCES, METALS, UNDERGROUND, TEST AND EVALUATION, SIMULATION
Field(s)/Group(s):
Active and Passive Radar Detection and Equipment
Report Date:
1988 Sep 01