Higher Quality Images at a Greater Depth in Ground Penetrating Radars

The ground penetrating radar is a nondestructive method for locating objects and viewing subsurface details. Its applications are found to be beneficial in many fields. It is also ideal in time and cost. A GPR works by transmitting ultra high frequency electromagnetic waves into the ground which travel at a constant speed until material characteristics change. The velocity of the EM waves is dependent on the medium so when there is a discontinuity of the medium a reflection occurs. Parts of the EM waves are reflected back to the surface and is detected. The data can be viewed in both time and frequency domain. GPR research these days is focused on having higher signal to noise ratio. Signal to noise ratio is how much signal is disrupted by noise. One of the methods of doing this is to transmit the ultra wide band signals and detecting it using various means. This method will result in better signal to noise ratio therefore higher quality images at greater penetration depth. We are developing a system that will do just that. The project is now in the process of using a Hittite Microwave Corporation product particularly the component known as HMC830LP6GE, Phase lock loop PLL frequency synthesizer. We are looking into employing the components ability to transmit electromagnetic waves that have been engineered to improve a receiver’s sensitivity and spectral purity to a given frequency.  A first step in designing a higher quality ground penetrating radar.