Adaptive wire bow-tie antenna for ground penetrating radar

In this paper the basic design of an adaptive GPR antenna is introduced. The antenna is able to adapt its input impedance to a variation in the antenna elevation and soil type to keep reflections at the antenna´s terminal minimum. As a result, the energy radiated by the antenna into the ground for different antenna elevations and soil types would be maximized. The antenna is based on a wire bow-tie structure with variable flare angle for adjusting the antenna´s input impedance. The flare angle variation is realized by short-circuiting the gaps which separate the wires from the antenna feed point. Electronic switching devices such as PIN diodes could be used to allow fast and convenient control of the antenna´s flare angle.