Underground Survey Apparatus Real-Time Sampling Trigger Hold-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground investigation devices face challenges in shortening measurement time due to the need for equivalent time sampling, which requires extensive time to acquire the entire signal waveform, and struggle with memory capacity limitations when employing real-time sampling, limiting their ability to observe reflected signals efficiently while moving.
Innovation Solution
An underground investigation device that uses real-time sampling with a memory for temporary storage of time waveform data, transferring it to a larger capacity storage unit after a measurement span, and implementing a trigger hold-off period to prevent new sampling until data transfer is complete, allowing for faster data acquisition and extended measurement duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If equivalent time sampling procedure is used, then measurement time is reduced, but observation time per spot increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the observation process into discrete measurement spans, each triggered by pulse wave transmission or ground surface reflection. By dividing continuous observation into segmented spans and using real-time sampling within each span, the system reduces total observation time while maintaining measurement quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic pulse wave transmission at predetermined repetition cycles and uses these periodic transmissions as triggers for real-time sampling. This periodic action structure allows efficient time management, reducing observation time per spot while ensuring complete signal waveform acquisition through synchronized sampling.
2Speed
If real-time sampling procedure is used, then data acquisition speed increases, but memory capacity requirements exceed available resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage into two hierarchical levels: a small-capacity high-speed memory for active real-time sampling data, and a large-capacity storage device for archived measurement data. This segmentation allows the system to utilize real-time sampling speed while managing memory capacity constraints through strategic data placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating specific memory regions for different data types and pre-establishing data transfer protocols between memory and storage device. This preliminary organization enables efficient real-time sampling without requiring excessive memory capacity, as data structures are optimized in advance.
3Duration of action of moving object
If real-time sampling is performed continuously, then measurement span increases, but data transfer overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data transfer operations synchronized with the pulse wave transmission cycle. Data transfer from memory to storage device occurs at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, reducing transfer overhead while maintaining measurement span. This periodic transfer approach balances data acquisition continuity with efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous real-time sampling during measurement spans while orchestrating data transfer operations to occur during less critical periods. By keeping the sampling action continuous and uninterrupted, the system preserves measurement quality while managing data transfer overhead through careful timing and resource allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
An underground investigation device includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a pulse wave, a reception unit configured to receive a reflected signal, a memory configured to store time waveform data of the reflected signal, a storage device having a larger capacity than a capacity of the memory, a control unit configured to transfer the time waveform data from the memory to the storage device, and a signal processing unit configured to generate underground investigation data based on the time waveform data in the storage device. The reception unit sets a measurement span for sampling the reflected signal by using, as a trigger, transmission of the pulse wave or reception of a reflected signal resulting from reflection by a ground surface, samples the reflected signal in the measurement span, and stores the time waveform data in the memory. The control unit transfers the time waveform data from the memory to the storage device after the measurement span.