A study of the effect of buried biomass on ground-penetrating radar performance

Nakasit Niltawach; Chi-Chih Chen; Joel Tidmore Johnson; Brian A. Baertlein

doi:10.1117/12.486086

20 August 2003 A study of the effect of buried biomass on ground-penetrating radar performance

Nakasit Niltawach, Chi-Chih Chen, Joel Tidmore Johnson, Brian A. Baertlein

Proceedings Volume 5077, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology VI and Radar Sensor Technology VII; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486086
Event: AeroSense 2003, 2003, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that tree roots and other forms of buried biomass have an adverse effect on the performance of ground-penetrating radars (GPRs). In this work we present experimental and theoretical work that quantifies that effect. Test sites containing extensive root infiltration at Eglin Air Force Base, FL were probed with a GPR. After completing the measurements, the sites were excavated, and the root structure and soil were thoroughly characterized. Supplemental GPR measurements of simple cylindrical objects in a laboratory setting were performed to investigate basic scattering behavior of buried roots. A numerical simulator based on the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA), an integral-equation-based method, was developed, validated and subsequently used to compute scattering from root structures modeled by an ensemble of buried cylinders. A comparison of the measurements and numerical calculations is presented that quantifies the potential for false alarms and increased clutter due to buried roots.

Citation Download Citation

Nakasit Niltawach, Chi-Chih Chen, Joel Tidmore Johnson, and Brian A. Baertlein "A study of the effect of buried biomass on ground-penetrating radar performance", Proc. SPIE 5077, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology VI and Radar Sensor Technology VII, (20 August 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486086

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available