Ground penetrating radar applications in buried improvised explosive device detection

Buried Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have become a significant threat in Defence and National Security environments. Standoff IED detection involves the detection of suspected threat objects and making a decision about their threat level while keeping a safe distance from them. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been identified as a potential technology solution for detection of buried metallic and non-metallic IEDs or their components. GPR is an instrument based on electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation commonly used for subsurface imaging. The magnitude and character of the return radar signal are dependent upon the geometry and contrast in material properties of the objects and its surroundings. Understanding GPR responses and their relationship to EM properties thus becomes the subject of understanding the properties of materials. This paper reviews GPR fundamentals and engineering challenges from an IED detection operational perspective.