InSAR Vertical Deformation via Temperature Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the relative vertical deformation of structures, such as bridges, using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data are limited by requiring specific orientations and suffer from thermal noise, leading to reduced accuracy and restricted applicability.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the relative vertical deformation Δd Up of an object by analyzing InSAR data from a single orbital direction, incorporating temperature measurements and coordinate transformations to account for horizontal positional shifts, allowing for accurate measurement regardless of the object's orientation and reducing thermal noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If InSAR data from multiple orbital directions are used to determine vertical deformation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the measurement system and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical deformation measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the vertical deformation component from the complex 3D deformation field by using a single orbital direction's InSAR data combined with temperature compensation. Instead of requiring multiple orbital directions to solve the full 3D deformation problem, the method extracts only the vertical component through coordinate transformation and temperature-based horizontal deformation compensation, thereby simplifying the measurement system while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing temperature as a key parameter to compensate for horizontal deformations. By measuring temperature and using it to calculate thermal expansion/contraction, the method transforms the problem from requiring multiple orbital views to using a single view with temperature compensation, reducing system complexity while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If InSAR data from multiple orbital directions are used to determine vertical deformation, then applicability to various object orientations is improved, but the measurement time and data processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to various object orientationsVSAvoidmeasurement and processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by developing a method that works for objects of any orientation using a single orbital direction. The coordinate transformation framework combined with temperature compensation creates a universal solution that adapts to different object orientations (bridges, buildings, dams) without requiring multiple orbital passes, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing measurement time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary temperature measurement and horizontal deformation calculation before processing the vertical deformation data. By pre-compensating for horizontal thermal deformations using temperature data, the method eliminates the need for multiple orbital directions to account for different orientations, reducing processing time while maintaining adaptability to various object orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If temperature compensation is applied to account for thermal deformations, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the measurement process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the observed deformation and the actual structural deformation. By measuring temperature and using it as a mediator to calculate and compensate for thermal expansion/contraction, the method improves accuracy while adding only minimal process complexity through temperature sensing and calculation steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems that would be needed to directly measure horizontal and vertical deformations separately with a simpler thermal-field-based approach. By substituting direct mechanical measurement of horizontal deformations with temperature-based thermal expansion calculations, the method improves accuracy while reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables denser time series data, increased accuracy, and broader applicability, as it does not require intersecting multiple orbits and can measure structures with any orientation, improving the precision of vertical deformation analysis.

Implementation Method 1

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data measured from at least one flying object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 3

determining the temperature, in particular the temperature of the object to be examined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP4465090A1Method for determining the relative vertical deformation of an object to be examined
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4465090A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4465090A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4465090A1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

Method for determining the relative vertical deformation Δdup of an object (Ob), in particular a structure, preferably a bridge, within a time interval between successive recording times (t1, t2) based on interferometry synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data measured by at least one flying object, - wherein the at least one flying object repeatedly moves along a flight path in a flight direction over the object (Ob) and records InSAR data along a line of sight (LOS) during this time, - wherein interferograms are created based on the recorded InSAR data, and - wherein at least two persistent scatterer (PS) points (P1, P2) on the object (Ob) are determined as pixels that remain coherent over a sequence of interferograms.comprising the following steps: - Determining the change in phase in the line of sight (LOS) with the associated angle of incidence θi between the line of sight (LOS) and the nadir direction (Nad) and the associated angle αALD between the line of sight (LOS) projected onto a horizontal surface and geographic north (N) for the at least two PS points on the object under investigation (Ob) based on interferograms acquired at at least two acquisition times (t1, t2), - Deriving the differential change in deformation ΔdLOS of the object under investigation (Ob) in the line of sight (LOS) of the flying object between the acquisition times (t1, t2) based on the determined change in phase, in particular after correction of errors caused by phase jumps, - Performing a coordinate transformation of the differential change in deformation ΔDLOS in the direction of the object under investigation (Ob), whereby the horizontal motion components (ΔdE,ΔdN) of the differential deformation change ΔdLOS onto the longitudinal and transverse directions of the object under investigation (Ob), in particular using the angle αOb between the longitudinal axis of the object projected onto a horizontal surface and the geographic north direction, - determination of the temperature, in particular the temperature of the object under investigation (Ob), in particular as an estimate and/or by measurement, - determination of the relative differential deformation ΔdLong in the longitudinal direction of the object under investigation (Ob) between the recording times (t1, t2) between the observation points (P1, P2) on the object under investigation (Ob), corresponding to the PS points, taking into account the determined temperature, and - calculation of the relative vertical deformation Δdup of the object under investigation (Ob) between the recording times (t1, t2)t2) using the previously determined relative difference deformation ΔdLong in the longitudinal direction and the differential change in deformation ΔDLOS.,