Signal Processing Using Wavelets in a Ground Penetrating Radar System

• Main Author: Andréasson, Thomas
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för systemteknik 2003
• Subjects: Technology; wavelet; wavelet packet; feature extraction; mine detection; TEKNIKVETENSKAP; TECHNOLOGY
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-1774

This master's thesis explores whether time-frequency techniques can be utilized in a ground penetrating radar system. The system studied is the HUMUS system which has been developed at FOI, and which is used for the detection and classification of buried land mines. The objective of this master's thesis is twofold. First of all it is supposed to give a theoretical introduction to the wavelet transform and wavelet packets, and also to introduce general time-frequency transformations. Secondly, the thesis presents and implements an adaptive method, which is used to perform the task of a feature extractor. The wavelet theory presented in this thesis gives a first introduction to the concept of time-frequency transformations. The wavelet transform and wavelet packets are studied in detail. The most important goal of this introduction is to define the theoretical background needed for the second objective of the thesis. However, some additional concepts will also be introduced, since they were deemed necessary to include in an introduction to wavelets. To illustrate the possibilities of wavelet techniques in the existing HUMUS system, one specific application has been chosen. The application chosen is feature extraction. The method for feature extraction described in this thesis uses wavelet packets to transform theoriginal radar signal into a form where the features of the signal are better revealed. One of the algorithms strengths is its ability to adapt itself to the kind of input radar signals expected. The algorithm will pick the "best" wavelet packet from a large number of possible wavelet packets. The method we use in this thesis emanates from a previously publicized dissertation. The method proposed in that dissertation has been modified to the specific environment of the HUMUS system. It has also been implemented in MATLAB, and tested using data obtained by the HUMUS system. The results are promising; even"weak"objects can be revealed using the method.