Simulation of an ultra-wideband antenna for step-frequency ground penetrating radar using method of moments

Presented in this paper are the results of simulation of ultra-wideband antennas for step-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR) using IE3D software realizing method of moments. Features of planar antenna currents distribution, influencing on radiations parameters are discussed. Ways of improvement of antenna characteristics accounting for the features of the antenna utilization are proposed. The simulation data for planar tapered slot antennas (TSA) covering frequency range as wide as 11:1 are given. The antenna VSWR does not exceed 2 almost in the full frequency band, whereas the antenna gain is of 6-8.5 dBi.