The DIGS radar can locate objects buried to a depth of roughly one foot by continuously transmitting radio signals downward into the ground and then receiving and analyzing the reflected signals. These returned signals are a result of the dielectric variations between the ground and the components of the mine. During the detection process, the radar signal is stepped between a start frequency and a stop frequency in equal increments. The signals received for each frequency step are stored until data has been collected for all steps between the start and stop frequencies. This assembled set of data is called a frequency packet. Using sophisticated signal processing algorithms, the frequency packet is analyzed for a return signature that corresponds to a mine. DIGS processes 52 frequency packets a second. When the antennas are over an area that provides returns consistent with a mine, the system provides an audio signal.