Item: Drone-mounted UWB radar system for measuring snopack properties: Technical implementation, specifications and initial results
-
-
Title: Drone-mounted UWB radar system for measuring snopack properties: Technical implementation, specifications and initial results
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Rolf Ole Rydeng Jenssen [ UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Physics and Technology, Tromsø, Norway ] [ Norut Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Markus Eckerstorfer [ Norut Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Svein Ketil Jacobsen [ UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Physics and Technology, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Rune Storvold [ Norut Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: Airborne ground penetrating radar systems allow for carrying out snowpack surveys in complex terrain. Ultra wideband radars operate within the lower part of the microwave band and are suitable for measurements of snow depth and layering in a time-saving and safe manner. We have developed a complete radar system based on a commercial UWB radar sensor, custom designed antennas and a single board acquisition computer in all weighing 4 kg and fitting (without antennas) into a 30 x 25 x 15 cm3 box. The radar is capable of measurements with a frequency range from 0.95 - 6 GHz, giving roughly 5 cm slant range resolution and an unambiguous range in air of 5.75 m. The radar can be carried by an octocopter drone with a wingspan of 1.5 m, flying autonomously at an altitude of 1 m above the snow surface. In this paper we present the characteristics and specification of our drone-borne radar system and show results from two different campaigns. We were able to resolve snow stratigraphy in great detail in a dry snowpack, identifying the most prominent layers. Our second example shows the system’s capabilities of detecting a person buried under 1.5 m of wet snow.
Object ID: ISSW2018_P07.9.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: UWB radar, Ground penetrating radar, UAV, drone, Snow stratigraphy
Page Number(s): 673-676
-