What are the Typical Features of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) System

1. What are the Typical Features of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) System? A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) System is a geophysical method that is mostly used for detecting and finding buried objects ranging from pipes, water, weapons and cash to voids, disturbed soil and density changes. It basically works on the same principle as a metal detector but has the ability to detect a much wider variety of materials. They are used to detect components that have a material composition that is different from its surrounding materials. A GPR system has the following three main features that enable its working: •Antenna A GPR system can have one or numerous antennas which communicate through radio signals. If the antenna is touching or is in close proximity to the medium that one wants to investigate, the antenna transmits the signals into the desired surface at a certain frequency. Though there is significant signal dissipation, a part of the signal is reflected and is received by the antenna. The frequency of the pulse is a crucial element in depth penetration, whereby higher the antenna frequency, shallower will be the ground penetrated. It is also noteworthy to mention that the size of an antenna does not determine its area coverage. An antenna’s size is related to its frequency level and consequently the depths that it can reach rather than the spread. •Control unit The control unit is the one that contains the electronics which triggers the pulse of energy that the antenna sends to the ground. When the impulses return via the antenna, they transmit data that can be documented, read and worked on. The information shows up in the control unit in the form of visual representations. This enables the operator to determine the material size and also get an idea about how deep inside they are situated. The time required for a pulse to travel to and from the target is what determines its depth and location. The control unit shows calculates and displays this on its LCD panel immediately and can be read by the operator. Data can be further downloaded onto a computer if further analysis is required. •Power Supply Power supply to GPR systems can be provided by various sources; from the smaller rechargeable batteries to the bigger vehicle batteries and even the normal ones with 110/220-volt. Every power source variety comes with connectors and adapters suited for it.

2. How deep a GPR goes is based on the subsurface material in question and the frequency of the GPR antenna.