Adaptive GPR Antenna Mount for Uneven Ground Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPR devices face challenges in achieving high signal-to-noise ratio and precise positioning due to poor antenna coupling to the ground and inaccurate position data, especially on bumpy surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The GPR device incorporates an adaptive mount that allows the antenna assembly to move vertically and tilt relative to the frame, ensuring good coupling to the ground and preventing horizontal displacement, thereby enhancing signal quality and positioning precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is fixedly attached to the cart, then the antenna position is stable relative to the cart, but the coupling to the ground is poor, particularly on bumpy ground surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a mount that allows the antenna assembly to move vertically relative to the cart frame while constraining horizontal displacement. The mount includes a vertical guide that permits up-down movement to adapt to ground contours, enabling the antenna to maintain good coupling with the ground surface even when the terrain is uneven, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is suspended from the cart by straps, then the antenna can adapt to ground surface variations, but the position data precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mount provides controlled dynamics by allowing vertical movement while constraining horizontal displacement through a guide structure. This selective freedom of movement enables the antenna to adapt to ground variations vertically while maintaining a fixed horizontal position relative to the cart, thus preserving position data precision from the GNSS unit while still achieving good ground coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount structure segments the degrees of freedom by separating vertical movement (allowed) from horizontal movement (constrained). This segmentation enables independent optimization of ground coupling (through vertical adaptation) and position precision (through horizontal constraint), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the antenna assembly is allowed to move freely vertically to adapt to ground surface, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but horizontal displacement relative to the frame occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mount implements selective dynamics by permitting vertical movement (to improve signal-to-noise ratio through better ground coupling) while simultaneously constraining horizontal movement (to maintain position data precision). The guide structure in the mount enables this differentiated movement control, allowing the antenna to follow ground contours vertically without compromising its horizontal positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground-penetrating radar device comprises a frame, a radar antenna, and an antenna assembly, wherein the antenna is part of the antenna assembly. Further the GPR device comprises a mount for adaptively mounting the antenna assembly to the frame and a ground support for supporting the frame on the ground. In an operational state, the mount prevents a horizontal displacement of the antenna assembly relative to the frame in two horizontal directions. In the operational state, the mount further allows a vertical displacement of the antenna assembly relative to the frame and a tilting of the antenna assembly relative to the frame.