Target Identification Using Dominant Scattering Mechanism Analysis of Full Polarimetric Ground Penetrating Radar for Cavity Detection

Cavity detection is vital to homeland security, civil engineering, and geological surveys. However, the limited target classification ability of traditional ground penetrating radar (GPR) may lead to its inability to identify cavities in complex environments with multiple anomalies, and the resolution of traditional GPR may not be enough to distinguish the internal structure of cavities. To address this issue, we have developed the dominant scattering mechanism analysis (DSMA) technique of full polarimetric GPR (FP-GPR). This technique calculates the scattering power of three physical models and determines the dominant scattering mechanism of subsurface targets. Cavity identification coefficients (CIC) are then utilized to enhance cavity detection and evaluation accuracy. Numerical simulation experiments have validated the workflow of this cutting-edge method. Scaled model experiments have depicted the polarization characteristics of the scattering field of typical tunnel structures within a laboratory setting. Field experiments have demonstrated that the novel technique can accurately identify and assess tunnels in complex environments with multiple anomalies, providing a foundation for determining regional function.