Development of a Prototype High-Frequency Ground-Penetrating Radar System

This report describes the development of a prototype 3 GHz ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system for highway applications. The development of each subsystem, the pulse generator, the receiver, and the antenna is discussed. These components have been integrated to form a GPR prototype, which was tested in the laboratory. The results of this first GPR prototype test were promising. Work is under way to produce a field unit. To this end, design improvements will be made to optimize the performance of all of the components. This final system will be realized using microwave integrated-circuit technology to ensure its miniaturization, low cost, and high efficiency.