A Study of the Air Gaps Effect in the Walls on the Detection Efficiency of Through-the-Wall Radars

Applying an ultra-wideband radar for through-the-wall detection is studied, in the situation when the wall consists of two homogeneous concrete layers separated by a small air gap. The aim of the work is to study the air gap effect on the power level of the radar signal reflected from the target, and to determine signal parameters, which achieves the maximum target detection efficiency. By using a simulation in MatLab the change in the power level reflected from the target is investigated by changing the air gap wide. In the conclusion of the study, it was established that the attenuation of the target signal caused by the air gap is dependent on wavelength of the radar signal, and by corresponding selection of the radar signal frequency, the maximum power level reflected from the target can be achieved.