Research News

Study Proposes Real-Time Permittivity Estimation Method for Stepped-Frequency Ground-Penetrating Radar

Dec 02, 2023

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has long been a pivotal tool in estimating the permittivity of various mediums. A significant technique used in this estimation is the radar echo amplitude method, which crucially derives permittivity magnitude through the correlation between reflection coefficients and permittivity. Building upon this principle, a recent study published in Remote Sensing on Oct. 31 introduces a full-wave inversion real-time permittivity estimation method specifically tailored for stepped-frequency GPR (SFGPR). 

The study was conducted by a research team from the Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation and Sensing Technology with the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). 

This method exhibits remarkable efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability, emphasizing four fundamental characteristics. The key aspects of this method focus on leveraging the SFGPR system and implementing a layered media detection model, enabling precise waveform compensation optimization. 

Moreover, it extracts the distance between the antenna and the reflective medium's surface directly from the time domain waveform, circumventing potential errors associated with manual measurements. 

This method conducts the inversion of the total reflection waveform based on electromagnetic field principles, thereby eliminating the need for repetitive metal plate calibration experiments, ultimately enhancing both work efficiency and waveform accuracy.

In a continuous measurement line, the method efficiently completes total reflection waveform inversions at each measurement point, thereby discerning changes in permittivity along the measurement line. 

To validate the efficacy of this approach, experiments were conducted on a known wall thickness. The permittivity estimation closely aligned with those obtained from dielectric probes, physical model calculations, and wall penetration. Additionally, the method was successfully applied to analyze the dielectric properties of adobe samples.

The results underscore the method's potential in comprehending the condition of measured mediums, ensuring detection accuracy, and significantly enhancing subsequent data processing efficiency.

This approach not only advances the field of ground-penetrating radar but also holds promise for diverse applications in various fields, ranging from construction and geology to material analysis and archaeological studies. 

Contact: luyq@aircas.ac.cn
 

Appendix: