A ground penetrating radar (GPR) system is a geophysical instrument used to detect and image underground structures and objects. It works by transmitting high-frequency electromagnetic pulses into soil or other materials. These pulses penetrate the subsurface and are reflected at the surface when they meet the interfaces between different materials or objects buried underground. The system includes a transmitter antenna that emits the pulses, a receiver antenna that detects the reflected signals, and a control unit that manages the timing and operation of the system.
GPR systems are widely used in fields such as civil engineering, archaeology, environmental assessment and geology for non-destructive underground investigation.
A ground radar system, often used interchangeably with GPR, refers to any radar system designed to operate near the ground or on the ground surface to detect objects and features buried underground.
While GPR specifically refers to systems that use electromagnetic waves to penetrate the ground and create images underground, ground radar systems can encompass various radar technologies, including GPR, but also radar systems used for mapping the earth. terrain, target detection and navigation.
Ground radar systems are used in military, scientific and commercial applications for purposes ranging from detecting buried utilities to monitoring geological conditions and conducting archaeological surveys.
Different types of GPR devices vary primarily in their antenna configurations and operating frequencies, tailored to specific applications and depth requirements. Common types include air-launched GPR, which is used for aerial surveys and large-scale mapping of geological formations and archaeological sites.
Ground-coupled GPR systems are versatile tools for surface surveys, capable of detecting buried utilities and geological features with varying depths and resolutions. Drilling GPR devices are specialized tools inserted into drilled wells or boreholes to provide high-resolution imaging of underground structures and geological formations at depth. Each type of GPR device is selected based on the specific requirements of the intended application for depth penetration, resolution and environmental conditions