A Circularly Polarized Broadband Composite Spiral Antenna for Ground Penetrating Radar
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To enhance the capability of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) in subsurface target identification and improve its polarization sensitivity in detecting underground linear objects, a circularly polarized broadband composite spiral antenna was designed. This antenna integrates equiangular spiral and Archimedean spiral structures, achieving a wideband coverage of 1-5 GHz with stable circular polarization characteristics. The antenna employs an exponentially tapered microstrip balun for impedance matching and a metallic-backed cavity filled with absorbing materials to enhance its directivity. Experimental results demonstrate excellent radiation performance and stable circular polarization characteristics, with the axial ratio consistently below 3 dB throughout the operating frequency band, highlighting its suitability for polarimetric GPR systems. Furthermore, a 3D GPR measurement using the designed antenna validates its improved capacity for detecting subsurface linear objects, compared to the conventional linearly polarized bowtie antenna.
Source: Sensors
DOI: 10.3390/s25061890
Institutions: Guangzhou University, Shenzhen University
Language: English
Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4408573107