Multistatic Radar Imaging System for Detecting Buried Objects

Abstract

Subsurface imaging represents a key technique for the non-destructive detection of buried or embedded objects in opaque media. Microwave imaging radar has emerged as a promising solution in both military and civil applications due to its capability to reconstruct images from backscattered electromagnetic signals. The quality of the reconstructed images strongly depends on the radar system architecture, the image reconstruction algorithm, and the antenna configuration, which plays a critical role in electromagnetic wave transmission and reception. This thesis investigates and analyzes monostatic and multistatic microwave imaging radar configurations using the Delay and Sum Integration (DASI) beamforming algorithm for image reconstruction. A comparative study is conducted under complex propagation conditions using both qualitative visual assessment and quantitative performance metrics, with particular emphasis on target localization accuracy. The effectiveness of each configuration is evaluated through various scenarios involving the detection of metallic rebars embedded in a concrete pillar. The results demonstrate the impact of system configuration on imaging performance and provide insights into the advantages and limitations of monostatic and multistatic approaches for subsurface imaging applications.