Design and Analysis of the Distributed Resistor-loading GPR Antenna with Reflected Cavity

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the use of a half-ellipse dipole with distributed resistor-loading. By improving the structure of the antenna arms and using distributed resistor-loading technology, the current reflection at the end of dipole is significantly reduced, the input impedance is improved, and the operation bandwidth is widened. We decreased the backward radiation of the antenna with a cubic metal-reflective cavity and also improved the ground penetration ability. The proposed antenna was simulated and designed with electromagnetic computing software; on the basis of the design results, we fabricated the antenna sample. Measurement results of the return loss and radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna confirm the validity of the simulation. We applied the proposed antenna in a GPR system as an underground target detection experiment; on the basis of the experimental results, we conclude that the antenna is able to meet the needs of GPR systems.