A matched-filter-based reverse-time migration algorithm for ground-penetrating radar data

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a remote sensing technique used to obtain information on subsurface features from data collected over the surface. T he process of collecting data may be viewed as mapping from the object spac e to an image space. Since most GPRs use broad beamwidth antennas, the ener gy reflected from a buried structure is recorded over a large lateral apert ure in the image space. Migration algorithms are used to reconstruct an acc urate scattering map by refocusing the recorded scattering events to their true spatial locations through a backpropagation process. The goal of this paper is to present a pair of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) reverse- time migration algorithms for CPR data processing. Linear inverse scatterin g theory is used to develop a matched-filter response for the GPR problem. The reverse-time migration algorithms, developed for both bistatic and mono static antenna configurations, are implemented via FDTD in the object space . Several examples are presented.