Handheld ground penetrating radar device detecting buried objects.

Ultra-Low Power Radar: The Tech That's Changing Ground Detection

Mira Elwood in Tech & Innovation December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how cutting-edge FPGA and ARM tech are revolutionizing signal and image processing for ground penetrating radar, making it smaller, lighter, and more efficient."

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is an invaluable tool utilized to detect buried objects such as landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). Handheld GPR (HHGPR) systems are designed to be ultra-low power, lightweight, and compact, enabling their use in areas inaccessible to vehicle-mounted systems. Given that these systems are battery-operated and required to function for extended periods (e.g., eight hours of continuous operation), energy efficiency is paramount.

Conventional radar systems often employ separate cards for signal and image processing, which can be bulky and power-hungry. The challenge lies in developing a single, compact solution that minimizes power consumption while maintaining high performance. Cost is also a critical factor in making these systems accessible and widely deployable.

This article explores the design and implementation of an ultra-low power signal processor and image processor card for a handheld GPR system, integrated onto a single printed circuit board (PCB). The signal processing is realized using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), while image processing is handled by a Cortex-A9 ARM processor. We'll delve into the step-by-step design procedure, component selection, power estimation, and configuration modes that make this innovative solution possible.

Designing for Ultra-Low Power: Key Requirements and Implementation

Handheld ground penetrating radar device detecting buried objects.

The primary goal was to create a system that meets stringent requirements for size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The functional and operational requirements for the signal and image processor were:

Compactness: Realization on a single PCB with minimal dimensions to achieve compactness.
Power Efficiency: Total power consumption for the signal and image processing subsystem not exceeding 10 Watts.
Lightweight: Total weight of the subsystem not exceeding 500 grams.
FPGA Capabilities: An FPGA device with sufficient logic elements for current and future signal processing needs, combined with minimal power consumption.
Flexible Configuration: Provision for configuring the FPGA with Active Serial, Fast Passive Parallel, and ARM processor modes.
High-Performance ADCs: Inclusion of two Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) with high dynamic range and good Effective Number of Bits (ENOB).
Sufficient Memory: Adequate external high-speed memory connected to the FPGA for data storage and processing.
Data Transfer Options: Facilities for transferring data from the FPGA via LAN or USB ports.
Powerful Processor: A processor with sufficient MIPS (Mega Instructions Per Second) to handle real-time image processing algorithms.
Communication Protocols: Efficient communication protocols between the FPGA and the processor.
External Connectivity: Connectivity for display ports and audio jacks.
Ample External Memory: Sufficient external memory for the processor to store data and execute image processing algorithms.
Versatile Data Transfer: Data transfer capabilities via LAN or USB through the processor.

To meet these requirements, a detailed analysis was conducted to formulate a block diagram for hardware realization. The design incorporated an ALTERA Cyclone V FPGA device, an ARM Cortex-A9 based Freescale i.MX6Q processor, and various memory interfaces. Careful component selection was crucial, focusing on minimizing power consumption while maximizing performance. For example, a low-power, dual-channel 16-bit ADC from Analog Devices (AD9650) was selected, balancing dynamic range requirements with energy efficiency.

The Future of Compact Radar Technology

The realized signal processor and image processor card achieves a compact design, measuring 170 mm x 140 mm, with a total power consumption of just 5 watts during full operation. This demonstrates a significant achievement in creating a highly efficient system for handheld ground penetrating radar.

This ultra-low power design opens up new possibilities for portable radar applications, enabling longer operational times and expanding the use of GPR technology in diverse fields. From detecting buried hazards to assisting in archaeological discoveries, the impact of this innovation is far-reaching.

Further advancements in FPGA and ARM processor technologies will continue to drive improvements in power efficiency and performance, paving the way for even more sophisticated and compact radar systems in the future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9is1/107885, Alternate LINK

Title: Fpga And Arm Based Ultra-Low Power Solution For Signal Processor And Image Processor For Ground Penetrating Radar

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment

Authors: Shrikant Sharma, Aswini Kumar Sahoo, V. S. Ramakrishna Anne, B. S. Mahaboob Shareef, Srikanth Vadada, C. H. Srinivas Rao, Paramananda Jena, G. Suryaprasad

Published: 2016-12-30

Everything You Need To Know

What is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and why is it important?

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a technology used to detect buried objects such as landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). It operates by emitting electromagnetic pulses into the ground and analyzing the reflected signals. This allows it to create images of what lies beneath the surface without excavation. In the context of this discussion, GPR is vital because it enables the detection of threats and the creation of detailed surveys in various environments, making it an invaluable tool for safety and research.

What role does the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) play in the GPR system?

The Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is used for signal processing in the handheld ground penetrating radar (GPR) system. The FPGA is selected for its ability to perform complex calculations and manage the high data rates required for radar signal processing. Its flexibility allows for configuration with Active Serial, Fast Passive Parallel, and ARM processor modes, ensuring efficient data handling and processing of the incoming radar signals. By using an FPGA, the system can maintain high performance while keeping the power consumption low.

What is the function of the ARM processor in this GPR system?

The ARM processor, specifically the Cortex-A9, is used for image processing in the handheld ground penetrating radar (GPR) system. This processor handles the complex algorithms needed to transform the raw data received from the FPGA into usable images. It is responsible for real-time image processing, managing data storage, and executing algorithms that create detailed visualizations of the subsurface. Using the ARM processor ensures that the GPR system can interpret the data efficiently and quickly.

Why is the integration of FPGA and ARM technologies significant?

The combination of FPGA and ARM technologies is important because it enables the creation of a compact, low-power, and high-performance system for ground penetrating radar. The FPGA handles the demanding signal processing tasks efficiently, while the ARM processor manages the image processing. This dual approach meets the stringent requirements for size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C), crucial for the handheld design. This integration makes the GPR system suitable for deployment in various environments.

What are the key components and features of this GPR system?

The design incorporates an ALTERA Cyclone V FPGA device, an ARM Cortex-A9 based Freescale i.MX6Q processor, and memory interfaces, a low-power, dual-channel 16-bit ADC from Analog Devices (AD9650), data transfer via LAN or USB, display ports and audio jacks to achieve compactness and power efficiency. The outcome is a signal and image processor card that's 170 mm x 140 mm, with a power consumption of 5 watts during full operation. The inclusion of various components and features, such as the FPGA, ARM processor, and high-performance ADCs, is integral to achieving a functional handheld GPR system. Careful component selection, particularly in minimizing power consumption, is crucial for the system's efficiency, size, and weight.