Time-Domain Electromagnetic Scattering by Buried Dielectric Objects with the Cylindrical-Wave Approach for GPR Modelling

Electromagnetic modelling of ground penetrating radar applications to the survey of buried targets is a fundamental step in the interpretation of measured data from experimental campaigns. When pulsed source fields are employed, such a modelling is commonly performed through time-domain numerical techniques. The cylindrical wave approach is proposed here to solve the scattering of a pulsed field by circular cross-section cylinders buried in a semi-infinite medium. The field radiated field by a transmitting antenna is modelled using a line-current source. Theoretical solution is developed on a semi-analytical basis, through a spectral approach. Time and space spectra are employed to derive the scattered fields, and the final space-time dependence is found through an inverse Fourier Transform. The proposed approach allows an accurate modelling of a wide class of ground penetrating radar problems that are commonly simulated through two-dimensional layouts.