Application of the Wigner-Ville distribution to interpret ground-penetrating radar anomalies

Abstract

Time- frequency analysis, based on signal spectral analysis decomposition, is performed by the Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data. The cross correlation between the original signal and the time-frequency components is obtained to get the structural anomalies available in the information provided by the GPR, related to the geology. We describe the application to a theoretical example representing a tunnel (pipe). Corresponding signatures are obtained in the time-frequency domain. An actual application at a test site is presented, where a drum of known geometry has been buried. This is a special test site at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Magnetic Observatory at Teoloyucan, State of Mexico. Depth and dimensions are well controlled, and the results are encouraging, since the WVD is capable to define morphological features related to the drum and opens the possibility to locate these structures.