Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scanner for investigating a sub-surface, wherein the GPR scanner comprises an antenna assembly configured for transmitting and receiving ultra-wide band (UWB) signals. The GPR scanner further comprises a directional coupler, a UWB signal generator configured for providing outgoing UWB signals through the directional coupler to the antenna assembly, a UWB signal sampling unit configured for receiving incoming UWB signals from the antenna assembly through the directional coupler, and an impedance. The directional coupler is configured as a balanced UWB directional coupler. It comprises a first port configured for receiving positive outgoing UWB signals from the UWB signal generator and a second port configured for receiving negative outgoing UWB signals from the UWB signal generator, wherein the second port is balanced with the first port.

Abstract: A method for sampling an Ultra Wide Band signal comprising a step of prearranging a GPR antenna comprising at least one transmitter and one receiver, a variable-gain amplifier, or VGA, a A/D converter and a control unit. The method then comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving a primary Ultra Wide Band signal by the GPR antenna and sampling values of the primary signal relative to a first full-scale portion by the A/D converter. The method also comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving at least one secondary Ultra Wide Band signal by the GPR antenna, amplifying said or each secondary signal by the variable-gain amplifier, and sampling values of said or each secondary signal relative to full-scale portions different from the first portion by the A/D converter.

Abstract: A method for ground penetrating radar analysis of a scenario, having a surface, with respect to a cartesian reference system S(x,y) having origin O(0,0) and axes x and y. The method comprises a step of prearranging a gpr apparatus that comprises at least one gpr sensor, a control unit, a centre of reference C(xc,yc) having coordinates xc and yc with respect to the cartesian reference system S(x,y), at least one image acquisition devices, each image acquisition devices having a pointing direction ?j known with respect to the centre of reference C(xc,yc). The method comprises then the steps of handling the gpr apparatus on the surface and detecting possible underground objects by means of gpr technique.

Abstract: A method for detecting positions of objects under a surface with respect to a reference Cartesian system having axes x and y, includes prearranging a GPR apparatus that includes a distance detecting unit for measuring a distance with respect to a not transparent object, a control unit, and a center of reference having coordinates xc and yc on the reference Cartesian system. The method further includes prearranging a first linear wall having direction parallel to the axis x, handling the apparatus on the surface, detecting a first measurement of distance between the distance detecting unit and the first linear wall, calculating the coordinate yc of the center of reference, calculating a change of the coordinate yc during the step of handling, and associating a coordinate yi=yci to an i-th object detected, where yci is value of the coordinate yc at the detection by a GPR sensor of the i-th object.

Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scanner for investigating a sub-surface, wherein the GPR scanner comprises an antenna assembly configured for transmitting and receiving ultra-wide band (UWB) signals. The GPR scanner further comprises a directional coupler, a UWB signal generator configured for providing outgoing UWB signals through the directional coupler to the antenna assembly, a UWB signal sampling unit configured for receiving incoming UWB signals from the antenna assembly through the directional coupler, and an impedance. The directional coupler is configured as a balanced UWB directional coupler. It comprises a first port configured for receiving positive outgoing UWB signals from the UWB signal generator and a second port configured for receiving negative outgoing UWB signals from the UWB signal generator, wherein the second port is balanced with the first port.

Abstract: A method for sampling an Ultra Wide Band signal comprising a step of prearranging a GPR antenna comprising at least one transmitter and one receiver, a variable-gain amplifier, or VGA, a A/D converter and a control unit. The method then comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving a primary Ultra Wide Band signal by the GPR antenna and sampling values of the primary signal relative to a first full-scale portion by the A/D converter. The method also comprises the steps of transmitting and receiving at least one secondary Ultra Wide Band signal by the GPR antenna, amplifying said or each secondary signal by the variable-gain amplifier, and sampling values of said or each secondary signal relative to full-scale portions different from the first portion by the A/D converter.

Abstract: A method for ground penetrating radar analysis of a scenario, having a surface, with respect to a cartesian reference system S(x, y) having origin O(0, 0) and axes x and y. The method comprises a step of prearranging a gpr apparatus that comprises at least one gpr sensor, a control unit, a centre of reference C(xc, yc) having coordinates xc and yc with respect to the cartesian reference system S(x, y), at least one image acquisition devices, each image acquisition devices (110,120) having a pointing direction ?j known with respect to the centre of reference C(xc, yc). The method comprises then the steps of handling the gpr apparatus on the surface and detecting possible underground objects by means of gpr technique.

Abstract: A method for detecting the position of objects (10) under a surface (200) with respect to a reference Cartesian system S(x,y) having origin 0(0,0) and axes x and y, said method comprising the steps of prearranging a GPR apparatus (110), said GPR apparatus (110) comprising a GPR sensor, a distance detecting unit (115) configured to measure a distance with respect to a not transparent object, a control unit, a centre of reference C(xc,yc) having coordinates xc and yc on the reference Cartesian system S(x,y).