Layered Media Q Estimation for GPR signal processing using the frequency shift method

Layered media attenuation algorithm using constant Q model for ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals processing is introduced in the paper. We can use different Q value to describe different layered media. Over the bandwidth of a GPR wavelet, the attenuation of electromagnetic waves in many geological materials is approximately linear with frequency. As a result, the change in shape of a radar pulse as it propagates through these materials can be well described using one parameter, Q, related to the slope of the linear region. Under the assumption of a frequency-independent Q model, we present a method for the estimation of layered media Q from GPR data based on a technique developed for seismic attenuation tomography using the frequency shift method, Q is computed from the downshift in the dominant frequency of the GPR signal with time. And the downshift is obtained by using the generalized S-transform. Tests on synthetic vertical radar profiling (VRP) data indicate that this method can be very effective at estimating layered media Q value of GPR signals.