Development of L-Band FMCW Radar on SDR using GNU RADIO

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a versatile technology widely employed for subsurface imaging and non-destructive testing in various applications. This research presents the design and implementation of a Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) L-Band Radar using Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and the GNU Radio framework. The proposed radar system operates within the L-Band frequency range, offering improved penetration depth and resolution for accurate subsurface mapping. Leveraging SDR with GNU Radio allows for the realtime adaptability of the radar parameters, enabling customized waveform generation and agile signal processing techniques. The hardware design encompasses the selection and optimization of L- Band RF components, including antennas, mixers, and power amplifiers, to meet the specific radar requirements. GNU Radio serves as a flexible platform for integrating and controlling the SDR transceiver, ensuring seamless communication between the software and hardware components. The research focuses on implementing advanced signal processing algorithms, such as fast Fourier transforms (FFT), to enhance the radar's target detection capabilities and imaging resolution. Moreover, the software-defined nature of the system allows for multi-channel operation and synchronized data acquisition, enabling coherent processing for increased detection sensitivity. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the FMCW L-Band radar in various subsurface environments. Results demonstrate the radar's effectiveness in detecting and imaging subsurface objects and structures with high accuracy and resolution. The proposed design presents a cost-effective and versatile solution, empowering researchers and practitioners with an open-source radar platform for customizing and optimizing radar parameters to specific applications. Additionally, the integration of GNU Radio and SDR in the FMCW L-Band radar holds great potential for advancing the state-of-the-art in GPR.