Detection of buried objects such as landmines using a forward impulse radiating antenna (IRA)

A novel forward impulse radiating antenna (IRA) is presented. The design of this antenna has been optimized for the detection of buried objects using the 3D field simulator Microwave Studio (MWS). The antenna yields images of subsurface objects with outstanding resolution when an appropriate calibration technique is applied. This technique locates the reference plane inside the ground and therefore allows the air-ground reflection and antenna mismatch and losses to be removed. A prototype of the new forward impulse radiating antenna has already been constructed and preliminary experimental results are presented.