FM-CW radar applied to the detection of buried objects in snowpack

Author

Yamaguchi, Y. ; Sengoku, M. ; Abe, T. ; Boerner, W.M.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Inf. Eng., Niigata Univ., Japan

fYear

1990

fDate

7-11 May 1990

Firstpage

738

Abstract

A simple FM-CW radar system for detecting buried objects in highly wet snowpack has been demonstrated, and experimental results obtained with this system are presented. Signal frequency is swept linearly over 1-2 GHz in 3 ms. A reflected signal from an object is mixed with the transmitted signal via a microwave mixer, producing a beat signal whose frequency is proportional to the distance between the transmitting antenna and the object. The beat signal in the time domain is transferred to the frequency domain via a FFT operation in the computer. The resultant spectrum is utilized to map the object in a snowpack coupled with an antenna scanning technique. By using a simple averaging and subtracting technique, it is possible to suppress clutter and to enhance the image contrast when the snow layers are aligned horizontally.<>

Keywords

frequency modulation; radar applications; snow; telecommunications computing; 1 to 2 GHz; 3 ms; FFT; FM-CW radar system; UHF; antenna scanning technique; averaging technique; beat signal; buried objects detection; clutter suppression; distance; experimental results; frequency domain; image contrast enhancement; microwave mixer; reflected signal; signal frequency; snow layers; spectrum; subtracting technique; time domain; transmitted signal; transmitting antenna; wet snowpack; Buried object detection; Dielectric constant; Frequency; Microwave antennas; Radar detection; Radar imaging; Reflection; Snow; Temperature; Transmitting antennas;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 1990. AP-S. Merging Technologies for the 90's. Digest.

Conference_Location

Dallas, TX, USA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/APS.1990.115214

Filename

115214