Quasi TEM-Horn Antenna Array for Rescue Radar Buried Victims Under Rubble

Abstract

In this paper, it is presented that quasi TEM-Horn antenna array to rescue buried victims under rubble. Designed antenna array, which consists of 4 elements, is operated between 400 MHz and 2 GHz. In order to penetrate electromagnetic wave into rubble, lower frequencies like 400-500 MHz should be used, because of attenuation of the concrete. Besides, it is required that ultra-wide band operation for good resolution while searching a buried victim. As an element of the array, quasi TEM-Horn antenna is utilized. Total dimensions of the array antenna are 14 cm x 27 cm x 57 cm. Distance between each element is 14 cm and also there is a reflector behind the antennas. Antenna gain is started from 8 dBi at 400 MHz and is increased till 14 dBi at 2 GHz. Furthermore, VSWR of the antenna is mostly fewer than 2 at the operation band, but at some frequencies it reaches 3. Reflector, which is placed 6 cm behind the array, is not only providing gain enhancement, but also reducing back lobe radiation at lower frequencies and shielding. Moreover array elements could be employed to understand which way the target is using A-scan data.