A Phase Shift and Sum Method for UWB Radar Imaging in Dispersive Media

Abstract: A phase shift and sum (PSAS) algorithm to image objects in dispersive media is presented. The algorithm compensates the phase shift of the scattered field from the receiver to the source for each frequency component in an ultrawideband (UWB) and then integrates all the frequency responses. This method resolves the multispeed and multipath issue when UWB signals propagate in dispersive media. In addition, a multipath effect due to refraction on a curved boundary is also explored. By collecting data using a customized microwave measurement system of two different objects placed in a plastic graduated cylinder filled with glycerin, along the measured dielectric parameters of glycerin (a dispersive medium), highquality reconstructed images are formed using PSAS. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons with two other traditional time-shift radar-based microwave imaging algorithms for the same objects under test demonstrate the advantages of PSAS.