A 2-D polarimetric backpropagation algorithm for ground-penetrating radar applications

A stepped-frequency continuous-wave radar is used in a ground-penetrating radar application for the high-resolution imaging of surface or shallow laid buried objects. Effective sensing of low-dielectric-contrast objects (w.r.t. their host environment) is accomplished via integration methods to enhance the image processing gain. Specifically, a two-medium backpropagation treatment, implemented in the frequency domain, is applied with various window functions. Moreover, the cross-polarimetric images of the objects are also collected to exploit polarimetric contrast variations. These techniques taken in combination provide a significant improvement in radar detection performance and image contrast. To demonstrate the usefulness of the simple algorithm and techniques described, two field experiments were conducted at different frequencies, and their results are reported.