International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp.

535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

Design Ground Penetrating Radar

Yahya S. H. Khraisat*, Ahmad Al – Ahmadi
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Taif University, KSA.

( *Corresponding Author: Yahya S. H. Khraisat)

Abstract 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

In this paper we developed ground penetrating radar (GPR) The task of detection and determining the location of
operating in megahertz region based on frequency modulating underground utilities is a significant cost for constructing
continuous wave technology (FMCW). We used bow-tie projects in areas with existing infrastructure. This cost is
antenna, because it is the best option for satisfying the estimated to be 10% or more of the project budget.
bandwidth requirement. We used two antennas, one for In addition to the cost implications there are serious safety
transmitting and other for reception. We analyzed the signal risks present to construction workers, plus the consequential
obtained. costs and inconvenience in disruption of services for extended
periods.
1. INTRODUCTION GPR is a perfect tool in terms of leaving the site 'untouched'.
This paper follows from the initial proposal outlining the The main purpose of GPR is the detection of underground
design of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system. The utilities such as water, sewer, gas, electricity, and
GPR system will employ a non-invasive method in helping communication cables. GPR has advantages in the following
detect sub-surface water features, metal detection, mines areas; detection of non-conducting materials (example: PVC,
detection…etc. By having the GPR system a better resolution nylon, fiber optic cables), detection of isolated utilities
can be obtained. This paper looks at some of the work that has (example: concrete encased) and detection of abandoned
been accomplished and also contains the obstacles that were buried infrastructure [2]. An example of radar image is shown
encountered. It also outlines future milestones to be performed below in figure 1.
in the up coming weeks along with some foreseeable
problems that will have to be tackled.
GPR transmits powerful low frequency signal directly to the
ground using narrow band beam to concentrate waves into a
particular direction. Receiving antenna picked up reflected
signal. Method used is frequency modulated continuous wave.
So we transmit and receive at the same time using two
separate antennas for transmission and another for reception.
The time it takes the signal to penetrate in ground and return
back measure the depth at which energy was reflected.
We need to investigate the structure and location of
subsurface features which help us to better understand the Figure 1. Radar Image
environment. Also, sometimes we need to decide where to We discussed in this paper the design of (GPR).
safely build a bridge and to know how ancient civilizations The block diagram below shows final GPR design:
lived. All these are considered to be of the applications of
GPR [1].

FM Generator LNA Transmitter

Mixer BPF LNA Receiver

A/D Converter Computer

Figure 2. Block diagram of Final project design [3].

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp. 535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

Signal from FM generator applied to the LNA & mixer. The The following figure shows the final circuit design of the
transmitted signal is amplified using LNA. The transmitted GPR.
signal is detected by receiving antenna and amplified by LNA.
Then the received signal is filtered to leave only the range of
frequencies 500 – 1100MHZ [4].

VCC 0
5V C18 C17
0.1µF C16 10µF
0 U3 470pF
C5 C1 VCC
0.1µF 0.01µF C2 C3 C4 1 6 VCC
2 5 5V
VCC 0.1µF 100µF 0.1µF 0 3 4 0
0 0
TX
5V VEE MAX2640 TX
VCC
2 U2
VCC 5V
U1 VCC12 8 -5V J1 VCC
R1 L1 7
1 3 2 3 6 VEE
1 10nH 4 5
4
1kΩ 13 VCC
3 0
MMBV609LT1 MC100EL1648 0.5 sec 1 sec 5V
C14 0 C12 VCC
1nF
12 1nF C13 C15
C6 U5 1nF 0.1µF
6 5 1 6
0 0
2 5 R2 L3
270pF 3 4
C8 1kΩ 330nH IF
C7 9 MAX2680 IF
11
7 C11
C9 220pF L2 15pF 0.1µF
0.1µF 10nH 22nF C10 0
0
0
C22 C20 C21
RX U4 0.1µF 470pF 10µF
RX VCC VCC
1 6
R3 2 5 5V
8 0 3 4 0
L4 C19 1.66kΩ MAX2640
46.1nH 1pF 10
0

Figure 3. Final circuit of GPR.

4. FM GENERATOR The modulated continuous wave signal is within the range of

600 to 1000MHz. This signal is shown below in figure 4.
We used three devices to generate FM signal:
1- VCO (MC100EL1648–ON Semiconductors).
2- Tuning diode (MMBV609LT1. This device is
designed for FM tuning, general frequency control
and tuning).
3- Constant Inductor (10nH).
Our frequency range dictates the capacitance values that are Figure 4. Modulated Signal
needed for the L – C tank, the Inductance remains constant.
The voltage input to the tuning diode varied the capacitance of
the tuning diode [3]. Frequency output and Voltage input for 4.2 Power Divider
Capacitance Values are shown below in table 1.
Power divider was used to make match impedance for all
Table 1. Frequency output and Voltage input for circuit components.
Capacitance Values.
That produces maximum power transfer in RX, which makes
Capacitance (pF) Frequency (MHz) Voltage Input (V) circuit receive weak signal.
We didn't use power divider. We solved the problem of
3.0 918.9 15
mismatch by using another amplifier before the antenna of the
7.0 601.5 10 transmitter, then the signal amplified twice first time in VCO
(The MC100EL1648 is a voltage controlled oscillator

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp. 535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

amplifier [16]) & second time in LNA before the transmitting  We used LNA in two places:
antenna, that solves power loss in Rx.
1- Before transmitting antenna (to amplify the TX
signal to solve mismatch).
4.3 Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 2- After RX antenna and before BPF to amplify the
weak received signal and that give high response to
 We used LNA (MAX2640, From Maxim Semiconductors
BPF.
IC) that operate in the region (400 - 1500) MHz.

Table specifications of MAX2640 is shown below in table 2.

Table 2. MAX2640 Highlighted Specifications [3].

Operating Frequency
Noise Figure Gain Reverse Isolation
(MHz)

MAX2640 400 to 1500 .9 dB 15.1 dB 40 dB

MAX2640 circuit is shown below in figure 5.

Figure 5. Circuit for Max2640 [5].

4.4 Band Pass Filter (BPF) :

Circuit design of the BPF is shown below in figure 6.

R1
V1
1.66k? C1 L1
120 Vrms 1pF 46.1nH 600-1000
VO
60 Hz MHZ
0°

Figure 6. Circuit of BPF.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp. 535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

 BPF operates in the region (500-1100) MHz. First we need  Capacitor C6, placed near the VCC connection, and
to solve equations, then take values of (L,C,R), we assumed capacitor C4, placed near the device, help to reduce any high-
(C = 1pF) frequency crosstalk. Capacitor C3, placed near the SHDN pin
on the device, helps to filter out any noise [6].
1
f  (1)
2 CL
1 4.6 Antenna Design:
750M     L  45nH (2)
2 1 p  L In order to design our system, it’s necessary to select the
o 2  750 M 5 suitable antenna for our applications. We need to work in a
Q   oRC     (3) wide bandwidth from 600MHz to 1000MHz.The suitable
BW 600M 2
antenna for our design is the bow – tie [3].
5
  2  750M  R  1 p    R  1.66k  (4) The length of the antenna is:
2
 Practical there isn't value of L = 45nH, so we 3  108
used L = 46nH. Length = /4 =  0.1m  10cm (5)
4  750  10 6
Finally
R = 1.66 KΩ  Length can be changed to get best impedance match using
the Smith Chart.
 Final Length = 128 mm.
C = 1 pF

L = 46.1 nH Tem horn antenna design is shown below in figure 8.

4.5 Mixer:
 We used down converter Mixer (MAX2682, From Maxim
Semiconductors IC) , RF frequencies from 400MHz to
2.5GHz and IF frequencies from 10MHz to 500MHz.
Table 3 shows MAX2682 specifications.

Table 3. MAX2682 Highlighted Specifications [6].

Input (MHz) LO IF (MHz) Noise Figure

(MHz) (at 900 MHz)

MAX2682 400 to 2500 400 to 2500 10 to 500 6.3 dB Figure 8. Tem horn antenna.

Figure 7 demonstrates the circuit design for MAX2682. We used one antenna for transmitting and another for
receiving.
 More control over directivity, but the size would be big as
shown in figure 8.

4.7 A/D converter:

 We used A/D (AD7992-1 all specifications apply for
Frequency up to 3.4 MHz) as shown below in figure 9.

Figure7. Circuit for MAX2682 [6].

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp. 535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

Figure 9. Connection of ADC 7992-1.

 We used A/D converter before computer card to convert socket in the computer, power on the system, and the small
analog signal to digital in order to input it to computer. light will turn red. Then start the software for measurement.
See next section for detailed software operation.
 We used A/D 12-bit to increase resolution output.

4.8 Computer Card: 4.9 Computer Software:

 We used PCMCIA card. 4.9.1 Interface description:

 We took output of A/D as input to the card and Connect Figure 10 shows the interface of the GPR View software on
the PCMCIA cable (which is already inside the circuit) to the the laptop computer for the measurement.

Figure 10. The interface for the GPR View software.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. ISSN 0974-3154, Volume 12, Number 4 (2019), pp. 535-540
© International Research Publication House. http://www.irphouse.com

4.9.2 Statistical result: REFERENCES

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