Multi-Frequency Ground Penetrating Radar for Drilling Hazard Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating subterranean maps are inefficient and lack the resolution and depth range to effectively identify and avoid hazardous subsurface features during drilling operations, posing risks to both equipment and safety.
Innovation Solution
Simultaneously emitting multiple ground penetrating radar signals at different frequencies from multiple antennas, receiving and separating the return signals using co-located receivers, and processing them with a controller to generate a high-resolution subterranean map through techniques like least-square inversion, bandpass filtering, and migration modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple ground penetrating radar signals at different frequencies are emitted simultaneously from multiple antennas, then the resolution and depth range of subterranean maps are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system divides the subsurface imaging task into multiple frequency segments, with each transmitter operating at a specific frequency bandwidth. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-frequency imaging, improving both resolution (higher frequencies) and depth range (lower frequencies) while managing system complexity through modular frequency-based division of labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the frequency dimension to traditional ground penetrating radar by implementing multi-frequency simultaneous transmission. This dimensional expansion enables the system to capture subsurface features at multiple scales and depths concurrently, transforming single-frequency limited imaging into multi-dimensional subsurface characterization
2Productivity
If multiple ground penetrating radar signals are emitted simultaneously, then the mapping time is reduced, but the signal separation and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary frequency-based signal separation at the reception stage using bandpass filters before full processing. By pre-separating signals according to their frequency bands, the system reduces the computational burden of subsequent processing while maintaining the speed benefits of simultaneous multi-frequency transmission
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency-based filtering acts as an intermediary mechanism that separates the blended return signals from multiple transmitters. This intermediary separation layer simplifies the processing of simultaneous multi-frequency data by organizing signals into distinct frequency channels before final image reconstruction
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
Enhances the resolution and depth range of subterranean maps, improving the identification of drilling hazards and enhancing environmental safety by allowing for the avoidance of subsurface hazards, and enabling non-invasive, time-efficient mapping of subsurface features.
Implementation Method 1
multiple ground penetrating radar transmitters operable to simultaneously radiate a first signal at a first frequency bandwidth, a second signal at a second frequency bandwidth different than the first frequency bandwidth, and a third signal at a third frequency bandwidth different than the first frequency bandwidth and the second frequency bandwidth
Implementation Method 2
The transmitted ground penetrating radar signals interact with subsurface features creating multiple ground penetrating radar return signals
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for generating a subterranean map with ground penetrating radar are described. The system includes multiple ground penetrating radar transmitters, multiple ground penetrating radar receivers, and a controller. A first subset of the transmitters radiate a first signal at a first frequency bandwidth, a second subset of the transmitters radiate a second signal at a second frequency bandwidth different than the first frequency bandwidth, and a third subset of the transmitters radiate a third signal at a third frequency bandwidth different than the first and second frequency bandwidths. The receivers receive a first return signal at the first frequency bandwidth, a second return signal at the second frequency bandwidth, and a third return signal at the third frequency bandwidth and transmit the return signals. The controller operates the ground penetrating radar transmitters, receives the return signals, and generates a subterranean map from the return signals.