Real-time system for imaging and object detection with a multistatic GPR array

US8854248B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• David W. Paglieroni · Pleasanton, US
• N. Reginald Beer · Pleasanton, US
• Steven W. Bond · Livermore, US
• Philip L. Top · West Sacramento, US
• David Chambers · Livermore, US
• Jeffrey E. Mast · Livermore, US
• John G. Donetti · Livermore, US
• Blake C. Mason · Livermore, US
• Steven M. Jones · Dunstable, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 26, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 7, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06N99/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.