Subsurface Electromagnetic Probing With Multi-Frequency Echo Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods using stepped-frequency continuous wave (SFCW) face limitations in acquisition speed due to the need for the device to move slowly relative to the subsurface to achieve high resolution, making large-area surveys inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Concurrently send multiple spectral components in each probe signal, employing orthogonal subcarrier signals with non-zero initial phase shifts to maintain resolution while allowing faster data acquisition, enabling methods like frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to enhance acquisition speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional SFCW method is used with single frequency probe signals, then data quality and resolution are improved, but acquisition speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spectral components (at least two different frequencies) into a single probe signal, transmitting them simultaneously rather than sequentially. This merging of multiple frequency components allows the system to acquire data at multiple frequencies at the same time, thereby increasing acquisition speed while maintaining resolution through the combined spectral information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a frequency multiplexing dimension by incorporating multiple spectral components within a single probe signal. Instead of varying frequency over time (sequential scanning), the system simultaneously excites multiple frequency components, adding a parallel processing dimension that increases data acquisition speed without sacrificing resolution.
2Productivity
If device moves faster to increase productivity, then acquisition speed improves, but resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple spectral components into a single probe signal, the system can maintain high resolution through the combined frequency information while moving the device faster. The simultaneous transmission of multiple frequencies allows the system to capture subsurface details at higher speeds without the resolution loss that would occur with sequential single-frequency scanning.
3Measurement precision
If multiple probe signals are sent sequentially to cover frequency spectrum, then data quality is maintained, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple probe signals into a single composite signal that contains at least two different spectral components. This allows the system to acquire data at multiple frequencies simultaneously rather than sequentially, significantly reducing acquisition time while maintaining data quality through the combined spectral information from all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously transmits probe signals with multiple spectral components without interruption, eliminating the need to switch between different single-frequency signals. This continuous action with multi-frequency content maintains data quality while reducing the total acquisition time compared to sequential single-frequency scanning.
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
The method achieves a speed-up in data acquisition by a factor equal to the number of spectral components, allowing for faster movement of the device, such as on cars or drones, while maintaining high resolution and signal quality.
Implementation Method 1
sending an electromagnetic wave into the structure
Implementation Method 2
receiving an echo of the electromagnetic wave from the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for probing a subsurface structure. The method includes sending an electromagnetic wave into the structure, receiving an echo of the electromagnetic wave from the structure and processing the echo for deriving an internal feature of the structure. The sending the electromagnetic wave into the structure includes subsequently sending a plurality of electromagnetic probe signals with differing frequency spectra into the structure. Each probe signal includes at least two non-zero spectral components. The receiving the echo includes receiving an echo signal for each probe signal. The processing the echo includes determining at least one amplitude and phase for each echo signal.