Characterization of ultra-wideband bow-tie antennas for ground penetrating radar systems

In this article, two ultra-wideband (UWB) bow-tie antennas, designed for ground penetrating radar (GPR) applications, are characterized by both numerical analysis and experimental measurements. The geometry and the different materials of the feed and the radiating components of the antennas are fully taken into account in a detailed numerical three-dimensional model, based on the finite element method (FEM). The reliability of the FEM results is assessed by comparison with experimental measurements. The analysis is performed for a geometrical configuration of interest for actual GPR applications, where the antennas are located on the same side of a scattering object (reflection configuration). The validation measurements are conducted under laboratory conditions, both in absence of any scattering objects and in contact with a tuff masonry.