Patent attributes
The present invention discloses a dual-technology sensor head tightly integrating an Electromagnetic Induction (EI) sensor coil for detection, localization and discrimination of metal in mines and Improvised Explosive Devises (IED), and a dual polarized Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar antenna array for Ground Penetrating Radar for detection, localization and discrimination of same. The core challenge addressed is how to prevent the EI sensor from detecting the metal in the UWB antenna which then desensitizes the EI sensor and degrades its dynamic range. The key characteristic of the new UWB radar antenna design is its very low magnetic induction, thereby imposing very little degradation to the EI coil. Additionally, the UWB antenna array incorporates unique design features to enhances its low frequency performance for better penetration of the ground. Through the design guidelines taught herein the EI sensor has been demonstrated to incur no degradation from the proximate UWB array.