Without accurate information on what lies beneath, the probability of utility strikes is increased, resulting in costly and dangerous situations.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) emits radar frequencies into the ground. The presence of a buried metallic or non-metallic utility creates an echo, creating a hyperbolic pattern on a radar map.

IDS has developed an extensive range of GPR instruments to facilitate the detection and mapping of underground assets. Three key design considerations were taken into account to overcome the following limitations:

  • Low or partial detection of utilities
  • Inaccurate positioning of utilities from acquired data, and
  • Slow rate of detection.

Utility detection

The Detector Duo dual frequency instrument is used for rapid detection and location of shallow and deeper utilities simultaneously. The instrument displays the position and depth of subsurface utilities in real time. Detector Duo is portable and easy to use.

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Small/medium areas

The RIS MF Hi Mod instrument uses an array of antennas, moved simultaneously over the target in order to increase the concentration of data necessary for detection and subsequent mapping.

Large areas

IDS developed the Stream–EM system specifically to detect and map utilities beneath roads and footpaths at speeds of up to 15 km/h. The system consists of a multiple array of polarised antennas that are drawn by a vehicle. This ensures minimum disruption to traffic during the raw data acquisition phase.

Data processing method

Raw data is acquired by the above mentioned instruments, which record the position of possible utilities. A complex hyperbola automatic detection algorithm works on every single scan, searching for targets in the map. By increasing the scan frequency within a given area, operators can readily understand and decipher the underground characteristics by observing the automatic pattern recognition algorithm results.

In order to process and analyse these large volumes of data, a huge post-processing effort is required. IDS developed GRED 3D utilities post-processing software, which drastically reduces the time required to analyse the data and accurately extract the features of interest. Automatic detection and tomography map are the two software tools that were developed specifically for this purpose. Results can be geo-referenced and displayed in auto cad for operator information, prior to open excavation or directional drilling.

IDS hardware and software contributes to the safe installation of new utilities or rehabilitation of existing services, and they are distributed internationally.