Modelling the performance of realistic ultra-wide band ground penetrating radar (GPR) antennas

A novel hybrid method based on plane wave spectra interactions has been presented for field calculation of GPR antenna patterns. The method has been employed for two validation cases involving a dipole and a TEM horn antenna. This method offers the possibility to investigate the performance of a wide range of complex antennas operating in the presence of the ground at standoff distances. The advantage of the method is that, it substantially reduces the computational resources needed and additionally, it offers the possibility of selecting the best method for the analysis of the antenna and the ground sub-domains. The analysis of the ground sub-domain leads to a database for the response of the soil plus the target. Using these data, the performance of a complex antenna positioned at any desired distance or orientation relative to the ground, can be modelled and optimised with minimal computational impact