Electromagnetic inversion in monostatic ground penetrating radar: TEM horncalibration and application

A comprehensive analysis of electromagnetic (EM) inversion applied to pavem ent profiling by using a monostatic ground penetrating radar (GPR) is prese nted. Since in GPR systems using transfers EM (TEM) horns, the antenna is p ositioned close to the the investigated medium and a strong EM interaction occurs. This effect is taken into account by modeling the antenna with equi valent sources placed on the aperture section and by using an accurate EM m odeling within the inversion loop in order to account for the contribution of near-field effects. Experimental results on the antenna modeling procedure and on a pavement pr ofile estimation validate the feasibility of both the calibration and the i nverse problem proposed.