Timing and control and data acquisition for a multi transducer ground penetrating radar system

• US 6,501,413 B2
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensors & Software Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sensors & Software Inc.
• Inventors: Annan, Alexander Peter, Leggatt, Charles David
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/273,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 342/22, 342/190, 342/191, 342/175, 342/198, 342/203
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/003 Bistatic radar systems; Multistatic radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005

Abstract

A multi-channel digital equivalent time sampling (MDETS) device having a programmable logic control that can select, delay or create various triggered signals. The MDETS can function independently or with multiple devices allowing for synchronized acquisition of data. The close proximity of MDETS device to a transmitter and receiver allows for the short time delay for acquiring the data.

Claims

1. A mechanism for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals, at precisely, controlled, programmable time intervals, with component distributed over an arbitrary spatial area and consisting of at least one emitting device and at least one detecting device for use near or on media to be imaged, comprising:

(a) a stable controllable oscillator providing a time base for all operations of said mechanism; and

(b) a means for generating at least two output triggers, triggering at least one emitting device and at least one detecting device at said precisely controlled programmable time intervals,

wherein said mechanism allows for the programmable offset of the operation of said mechanism.

2. Multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals, at precisely, controlled, programmable time intervals, with components distributed over an arbitrary spatial location, of at least one emitting device and at least one detecting device for use near or on media to be imaged, comprising:

(a) at least one stable controllable oscillator providing a time base for all operations of said mechanisms; and

(b) at least one means for generating at least two output triggers, triggering at least one emitting device and at least one detecting device at said precisely controlled programmable time intervals

wherein said mechanisms allows for the programmable offset of the operation of each mechanism.

3. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claims 1 or 2 further comprising a computer or programmable device located internally or externally of said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms controlling the selection of said time intervals.

4. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 3 wherein said computer or programmable device located internally or externally of said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms controls the selection of the programmable offset.

5. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 3 wherein said computer or programmable device has data storage capacity of non-volatile information wherein said computer or programmable device retains programmable settings of said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms for an indefinite period of time.

6. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a communication means for communication of said programmable settings between said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms and internally or externally between said computer or programmable device.

7. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claims 1 or 2 further comprising a program or logic device for adaptively adjusting said setting of said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms allowing for the operation of said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms to adjust for changing environment.

8. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms receive information regarding their spatial location for use in self reprogramming to changes in said spatial location where said changes are inputted manually, electrically or through an electronic positioning device.

9. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 7 wherein said logic device or program and said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms function together as an equivalent time sampling subsurface image device.

10. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 wherein said logic device or program allows said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms to initiate a sequential frequency capture of a transfer function using heterodyning or signal mixing measurement procedures for producing a subsurface imaging device.

11. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 for a bistatic subsurface imaging device with arbitrary spatial separation between paid emitting device and said detecting device.

12. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a plurality of subsurface imaging devices operated in time synchronous or programmable staggered synchronous fashion to achieve enhanced subsurface imaging without said subsurface imagining devices interfering with each others operation.

13. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a plurality of subsurface imaging devices distributed over an arbitrary spatial area wherein said emitting devices and said detecting devices are operated in synchronous fashion or time staggered fashion to achieve enhanced subsurface imaging by means of additive or constructive interference signal methods of increasing signal strength.

14. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 12 wherein said subsurface imaging devices allows for imaging a larger volume of the subsurface concurrently.

15. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 wherein said subsurface imaging device is a ground penetrating radar for applications selected from the group consisting of agriculture, airports, archeology, biocounting, bridges, building inspection, concrete, conveyor belts, dams, environmental, forensics, police matters, geotechnical, gravelpits, graveyards, groundwater, hydro power, nuclear power, ice detection, snow detection, lakes, rivers, military, mining, pipe inspection, sewer inspection, quarries, milroads, real estate roads, security, immigration, customs, smelters, treasure mapping, trenchiess technology, tunnelling, utility works, pipes and wood inspection.

16. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claims 6 wherein said signals are randomized or positioned in time to spread emission spectra as uniformly as possible or to remove emission from a selected portion of the frequency spectrum of said subsurface imaging devices.

17. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a communication means for communication of said programmable settings between said mechanism or said multiple mechanisms and internally or externally between said computer or programmable device.

18. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 10 for a bistatic subsurface imaging device with arbitrary spatial separation between said emitting device and said detecting device.

19. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of subsurface imaging devices operated in time synchronous or programmable staggered synchronous fashion to achieve enhanced subsurface imaging without said subsurface imagining devices interfering with each others operation.

20. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of subsurface imaging devices distributed over an arbitrary spatial area wherein said emitting devices and said detecting devices are operated in synchronous fashion or time staggered fashion to achieve enhanced subsurface imaging by means of additive or constructive interference signal methods of increasing signal strength.

21. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 13 wherein said subsurface imaging devices allows for imaging a larger volume of the subsurface concurrently.

22. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 10 wherein said subsurface imaging device is a ground penetrating radar for applications selected from the group consisting of agriculture, airports, archeology, biocounting, bridges, building inspection, concrete, conveyor belts, dams, environmental, forensics, police matters, geotechnical, gravelpits, graveyards, groundwater, hydro power, nuclear power, ice detection, snow detection, lakes, rivers, military, mining, pipe inspection, sewer inspection, quarries, milroads, real estate roads, security, immigration, customs, smelters, treasure mapping, trenchless technology, tunnelling, utility works, pipes and wood inspection.

23. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 8 wherein said signals are randomized or positioned in time to spread emission spectra as uniformly as possible or to remove emission from a selected portion of the frequency spectrum of said subsurface imaging devices.

24. A mechanism or multiple mechanisms for controlling and sequencing the creation and detection of signals as claimed in claim 9 wherein said signals are randomized or positioned in time to spread emission spectra as uniformly as possible or to remove emission from a selected portion of the frequency spectrum of said subsurface imaging devices.