IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,291,710
Granted Patent B2
US 9,291,710 · App. 14/066,301 · Granted Mar 22, 2016

Method and apparatus for detecting subsurface targets using data inversion and a temporal transmission line model

Inventors: Patrick S. Debroux (Las Cruces, NM); Benjamin C. Flores (El Paso, TX)
Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System; The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
G01S13/885G01S13/887G01V3/12G01V8/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,291,710
App. No.
14/066,301
Granted
Mar 22, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus for detects one or more subsurface targets by receiving a reflectivity data from two or more subsurface reflectors using a ground penetrating radar. The two or more subsurface reflectors may include the one or more subsurface targets and a medium surrounding the one or more subsurface targets. An impedance data for the two or more subsurface reflectors is calculated by inverting the reflectivity data using a temporal transmission line model with a “layer-peeling” method. One or more constitutive parameters of the two or more subsurface reflectors are calculated based on the impedance data. The one or more subsurface targets are detected based on a change in the one or more constitutive parameters.

Claims (17)

1. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium for detecting one or more subsurface targets comprising:

a code segment for receiving a reflectivity data from two or more subsurface reflectors using a ground penetrating radar, wherein the two or more subsurface reflectors comprise the one or more subsurface targets and a medium surrounding the one or more subsurface targets;

a code segment for calculating an impedance data for the two or more subsurface reflectors by inverting the reflectivity data using a temporal transmission line model with a “layer-peeling” method;

a code segment for calculating one or more constitutive parameters of the two or more subsurface reflectors based on the impedance data; and

a code segment for detecting the one or more subsurface targets based on a change in the one or more constitutive parameters.

2. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reflectivity data comprises one or more individual traces and the impedance data is calculated one individual trace at a time.

3. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the calculation and detection steps are performed in near real time.

4. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more constitutive parameters comprise a permittivity, a conductivity or both.

5. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the code segment for detecting the one or more subsurface targets comprises a code segment for displaying a waterfall plot of the one or more subsurface targets.

6. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the code segment for detecting the one or more subsurface targets further comprises a code segment for identifying the one or more subsurface targets or one or more properties of the one or more subsurface targets.

7. The computer program as recited in claim 6 , wherein the one or more properties comprise a permittivity, a conductivity, a moisture content, a salinity, a fluid flow rate, or a combination thereof.

8. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more subsurface targets comprise one or more lossy dielectric targets.

9. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more subsurface targets comprise an IED, a non-metallic mine, a non-polar fluid spill, a dielectric solid, a dielectric fluid, a dielectric gas, a liquid in a pipe, or a combination thereof.

10. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a code segment for calibrating a magnitude of a radiated field from an antenna transponder in use.

11. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a code segment for adjusting the temporal transmission line model by setting a characteristic impedance of the medium.

12. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a code segment for adjusting the temporal transmission line model by correcting for a geometric spreading of a propagating electromagnetic wave.

13. The computer program as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a code segment for adjusting the temporal transmission line model by including an ohmic attenuation of a propagating electromagnetic wave.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2014
From: DEBROUX, PATRICK S.
To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, THE
Reel/Frame 032111/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2013
From: FLORES, BENJAMIN C.
To: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Reel/Frame 031696/0658 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61720813 · Oct 31, 2012
Related Publication 20140240162A1 · Aug 28, 2014