The detection of AP mines using UWB GPR

In the frame of the Belgian interuniversity project HUDEM (HUmanitarian DEMining), the Royal Military Academy (RMA) has started a research on the detection of plastic AP mines by means of ultrawideband ground penetrating radar (UWB GPR) i.e. GPR using ultra-short electromagnetic pulses (<200ps). Because AP mines are not buried at great depth and are very small objects, conventional GPR is not very well suited to detect all the mines without failure and to discriminate between a mine and a mine-like target. In the first part of the present paper we give a brief overview of the HUDEM project, its technical organization and test facilities. We also present results of outdoor trials with different GPR systems. We will highlight the advantage of UWB radar systems. Finally we motivate and discuss the development of some very small (10/spl times/5 cm), ultra-wideband directive TEM horn antennas. These antennas can be used in UWB applications, and they are, thanks to the reduced dimensions, suited for hand-held applications.