Abstract: A ground penetrating radar includes a signal generator, a return signal processor, a gate and an antenna. The signal generator is a dual frequency synthesizer that generates a stepped frequency master signal and a tracking signal offset by an intermediate frequency. The return signal processor is a dual channel quadrature receiver that mixes down a return signal and a sample of the master signal to intermediate frequency using the tracking signal. The signal generator is pulsed by the gate and the return signal is gated at the same frequency. Hollow pyramidal antennas are also described that have an ultrawide band bowtie structure with antenna electronics located within one antenna element. A method of operating the radar is also described.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar comprises a signal generator, a return signal processor, gating means and antenna. The signal generator is a dual frequency synthesiser that generates a stepped frequency master signal and a tracking signal offset by an intermediate frequency. The return signal processor is a dual channel quadrature receiver that mixes down a return signal and a sample of the master signal to intermediate frequency using the tracking signal. The signal generator is pulsed by the gating means and the return signal is gated at the same frequency. Hollow pyramidal antennas are also described that have an ultrawide band bowtie structure with antenna electronics located within one antenna element. A method of operating the radar is also described.