Apparatus for collecting ground radar data with polarization information

• US 7,345,617 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mala GeoScience Forvaltnings AB
• Original Assignee: Malå Geoscience Förvaltnings AB
• Inventors: Johansson, Bernt, Friborg, Johan, Leijon, Tommy
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory; Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US10/538,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 342/21, 342/22, 342/27, 342/28, 342 70- 82, 342/89, 342/175, 342/188, 342/195, 342361-366, 342/450, 342/459, 343/872
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for collecting ground radar data with polarization information comprising a main body exhibiting structure for moving the apparatus along the ground, a part that rotates in relation to the main body supporting a pair of antennas of transmitter and receiver type, a power source with connected control unit for controlling and governing the ground radar, a transmitter unit electrically connected to one of the pair of antennas for generating and transmitting radar pulses and a sampler unit electrically connected to the other antenna for receiving the reflected radar pulses. To improve signal quality and reduce sensitivity to interference, the rotating pair of antennas support the transmitter unit, sampler unit and A/D converter contained in the sampler unit, the power source and the control unit are located in the main body and are electrically connected to the transmitter unit and sampler unit via a slip-ring arrangement, in which the radar signals are conveyed digitally via the slip ring arrangement.

Claims

1. Radar apparatus comprising a main body including structure to move the apparatus along the ground, a casing rotatable in relation to the main body and to support a transmitter and a receiver, a power source provided with a control unit to control the apparatus, a transmitter unit electrically connected to the transmitter to generate and transmit radar pulses and a sampler unit electrically connected to the receiver to receive reflected radar pulses, wherein the casing supports the transmitter unit, sampler unit and an A/D converter included in the sampler unit, and the power source and control unit are located in the main body and are electrically connected to the transmitter unit and sampler unit via a slip-ring arrangement, in which radar signals in digital form are conveyed via the slip-ring arrangement.

2. Radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is supported by the transmitter.

3. Radar apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sampler unit and the A/D converter are supported by the receiver.

4. Radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit comprises analogue high frequency equipment.

5. Radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a transmitter antenna.

6. Radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is a receiver antenna.

7. Radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send electromagnetic waves into the ground below to generate said radar pulses.

8. Radar apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the receiver is set to convey the reflected radar pulses, after conversion, to the control unit via the slip-ring arrangement, and the control unit includes a memory to store the converted pulses as radar data.

9. Radar apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radar data includes polarization information.