Automatic detection of buried utilities and solid objects with GPR using neural networks and pattern recognition

The task of locating buried utilities using ground penetrating radar is addressed, and a novel processing technique computationally suitable for on-site imaging is proposed. The developed system comprises a neural network classifier, a pattern recognition stage, and additional pre-processing, feature-extraction and image processing stages. Automatic selection of the areas of the radargram containing useful information results in a reduced data set and hence a reduction in computation time. A backpropagation neural network is employed to identify portions of the radar image corresponding to target reflections by training it to recognise the Welch power spectral density estimate of signal segments reflected from various types of buried target. This results in a classification of the radargram into useful and redundant sections, and further processing is performed only on the former. The Hough Transform is then applied to the edges of these reflections, in order to accurately identify the depth and position of the buried targets. This allows a high resolution reconstruction of the subsurface with reduced computation time. The system was tested on data containing pipes, cables and anti-personnel landmines, and the results indicate that automatic and effective detection and mapping of such structures can be achieved in near real-time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.