Ski-Mounted Ground Penetrating Radar for Real-Time Snow Profile Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for avalanche risk assessment, such as digging snow profiles, are time-consuming, risky, and difficult for non-experts to interpret, and existing radar technologies are not small or light enough for commercial use by skiers, lacking effective data processing and visualization.
Innovation Solution
A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) device mounted on or embedded in skis, providing real-time data visualization through indicators or connected devices, and sharing data via short-range or wide-area communication, combined with slope angle measurements and historical avalanche data for improved risk assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ground penetrating radar devices are mounted on skis for real-time snow profile measurement, then measurement speed and accessibility are improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The GPR system is divided into separate functional modules: antenna assembly, control unit, display device, and communication module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables flexible configuration based on weight vs. functionality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The display and processing functions are extracted from the ski-mounted unit and relocated to a smartphone or other portable device. This extraction significantly reduces the weight and complexity of the ski-mounted GPR system while maintaining full measurement and analysis capabilities.
2Device complexity
If traditional snow profile digging methods are used, then equipment complexity is minimized, but measurement time and expert dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical process of digging snow profiles with shovels and probes is replaced with electromagnetic radar measurement. The GPR system transmits electromagnetic waves through the snow to detect layer structures, eliminating the need for physical excavation and reducing measurement time from minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically extracting snow samples through digging, the system creates a digital copy or model of the snow profile using radar reflections. This virtual representation provides the same information as physical cross-sections without the time and effort of excavation.
3Area of stationary object
If snow profile digging is performed in steep or unstable terrain, then measurement coverage is improved, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skier performs both the traversal and the measurement simultaneously using the integrated GPR system on their skis. This eliminates the need for separate measurement teams or stationary equipment setup, allowing safe collection of data while moving through terrain that would be dangerous for stationary measurement operations.
4Ease of operation
If radar data is processed and visualized in real-time on connected devices, then ease of interpretation is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the ski-mounted unit perform complex data processing and display functions, the system inverts the processing hierarchy: the smartphone or portable device performs the heavy computational work of analyzing radar reflections and generating visualizations, while the ski-mounted unit only handles data acquisition and basic communication.
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
Enables skiers to make informed decisions about route modifications and safety by providing accurate, real-time snow condition data, reducing the risk of avalanches and material damage.
Implementation Method 1
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) fixed on moving antenna constructions such as sledges
Implementation Method 2
a GPR device is mounted on or embedded in the ski or other equipment that is in contact with the snow during use
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, devices and computer systems utilize ground penetrating radar (GPR) embedded in or mounted on a ski or other equipment that is in contact with the snow during use device in order to obtain snow profile data from layers of snow or ice. A GPR device may include a trained model capable of deriving snow profile information based on GPR data and may also be capable of uploading GPR data to an online service. The online service can use the received GPR data to derive snow profile information, distribute snow profile information to user devices, and generate and distribute updated trained models. The online service may access online repositories of additional information and refine the snow profile information or the trained model based on such addition information. Generated snow profile information can be used to provide avalanche risk assessments.