Improved Imaging Capability of Phased Array Antenna in Ground Penetrating Radar Survey

Exploration in near subsurface is important to prevent accidents in urban area because of foundations of buildings, water pipes and shallow tunnels. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the most practical Electromagnetic (EM) exploration methods for detecting artificial materials in subsurface. However, a conventional GPR cannot obtain clear subsurface images between survey lines because of its limited investigation ability. In this paper, we propose the utilization of phased array antenna as a GPR source. We carry out some numerical simulations assuming an actual GPR survey using our designed phased array antenna. Comparing the results of the phased array antenna with that of the conventional antenna, we conclude that it has an advantage in enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and enhancing the amplitude of scattered waves from the reflectors located at out of the survey line. Therefore, it has a possibility to provide us with clear images of obstacles between survey lines. This will greatly reduce the cost of near surface survey.