Radar cross section calculation for subsurface objects

In this paper we establish a layered soil model with full wave electromagnetic simulation software package FEKO to characterize subsurface objects, in particular landmines and improvised explosive devices (IED's). We perform a parametric study of the landmine Radar Cross Section (RCS) by varying the material properties (permittivity and conductivity) of the landmine, the depth of the landmine, as well as the incident wave direction. The simulation provides insight into the relationship between the physical parameters of the landmine and its radar signatures. The results are helpful in developing landmine detection systems with forward looking capability. The methodology is advantageous for accumulating landmine RCS information in a cost-effective manner.