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.