Characterization of underground objects in UWB GPR by range profiling of phase

In this work, a new phase-based data processing method for UWB subsurface radar is presented. The method utilizes extraction of the phase information related to the signal reflected from the particular depth inside the medium under test. This phase depends on dielectric properties of reflecting targets and thus can be used for their discrimination. Both amplitude and phase data is combined further in common GPR image where brightness is related to the amplitude of reflection and the phase profile is represented by color. The phase-extraction algorithm does not employ heavy computations and therefore is well suited for practical applications. Advantages of the method as compared to other data processing methods are shown using simulated data. The method performance is demonstrated also in several experimental examples.