Sensitive Vibration Detection Using Ground-Penetrating Radar

A high-dynamic-range vibration detection system is presented based on analog cancellation. The prototype system operates at 900 MHz and is shown to detect vibrational displacement as low as 11 nm for a rectangular aluminum plate at a standoff distance of 2 m. By operating at a lower frequency than previous radar vibrometers, the system gains ground-penetrating capability and is shown to detect vibrations through 13 cm of sand. A fundamental relationship is introduced relating the minimum detectable vibration displacement to the standoff distance and system dynamic range.