Ground penetrating radar
First Claim
1. A ground penetrating radar for detecting objects comprising:
- signal generation means for (i) generating and transmitting a stepped frequency master signal and (ii) generating a tracking signal offset in frequency from the master signal by an intermediate frequency;
return signal processing means for (i) receiving a return signal reflected from the ground region and (ii) processing the return signal using the tracking signal and the master signal to determine amplitude values and phase values indicative of target matter;
gating means for (i) pulsing the master signal and (ii) gating the return signal; and
antenna means for (i) coupling the master signal into the ground and (ii) coupling a reflected signal from the ground.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ground penetrating radar includes a signal generator, a return signal processor, a gate and an antenna. The signal generator is a dual frequency synthesizer that generates a stepped frequency master signal and a tracking signal offset by an intermediate frequency. The return signal processor is a dual channel quadrature receiver that mixes down a return signal and a sample of the master signal to intermediate frequency using the tracking signal. The signal generator is pulsed by the gate and the return signal is gated at the same frequency. Hollow pyramidal antennas are also described that have an ultrawide band bowtie structure with antenna electronics located within one antenna element. A method of operating the radar is also described.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A ground penetrating radar for detecting objects comprising:
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signal generation means for (i) generating and transmitting a stepped frequency master signal and (ii) generating a tracking signal offset in frequency from the master signal by an intermediate frequency;
return signal processing means for (i) receiving a return signal reflected from the ground region and (ii) processing the return signal using the tracking signal and the master signal to determine amplitude values and phase values indicative of target matter;
gating means for (i) pulsing the master signal and (ii) gating the return signal; and
antenna means for (i) coupling the master signal into the ground and (ii) coupling a reflected signal from the ground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of generating a radar signal for a ground penetrating radar including the acts of:
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generating multiple narrower-band signals;
stepping said multiple narrower-band signals in frequency across an ultra-wide bandwidth;
generating a tracking signal for each narrower-band signal that is offset in frequency by an intermediate frequency from a center frequency of said narrower-band signals; and
gating said multiple narrower-band signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting objects with a ground penetrating radar including the steps of:
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generating a stepped frequency radar signal;
pulsing said stepped frequency radar signal at a gating frequency;
transmitting the pulsed, stepped frequency radar signal into a region;
receiving reflected radar signals from said buried object in said region;
gating said received signals at said gating frequency;
down-converting said gated received signals to an intermediate frequency by mixing with a tracking signal;
digitally down converting said intermediate frequency to baseband; and
analysing a resulting radar image to detect said objects. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification