Modeling FMCW Radar for Subsurface Analysis

Determining subsurface properties through ground penetrating radar sounding can be challenging, especially in planetary exploration, where little is known about the terrain and additional observations are limited. Analysis and interpretation of data acquired with the Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) could therefore be improved by in-detail comparison with forward modeling. RIMFAX transmits a frequency modulated continuous waveform and utilizes a stretch processing receiver, and we demonstrate how accurate modeling can be achieved through finite-difference time-domain simulations. As the simulation scheme do not allow for direct implementation of such radar system, this study presents the necessary steps in order to replicate the same transmitter and receiver characteristics. In particular, we investigate how the method holds for modeling sounding in a realistic subsurface medium with attenuating and dispersive properties, by comparing the results with analytical estimates. The modeling approach is also assessed through comparison with RIMFAX field test measurements.