Airborne radar

BGR airborne radar system at work in the Antarctic Source: BGR

The use of radar systems for the exploration of underground structures has been a standard method in geophysics for more than 30 years and is known as GPR (ground penetrating radar), RES (radio echo sounding) or EMR (electromagnetic reflection method).

In the beginning, the principle of pulse radar was pursued. The application of suitable pulse radar measuring systems was then limited to ice thickness measurements of polar glaciers, as cold glacier ice offers ideal conditions for a maximum penetration depth of electromagnetic waves. Especially in areas difficult to access, like the widely ice-covered Antarctic, measurements by helicopter or aeroplane are the only means to define the thickness of Antarctic glaciers. Here, the better manoeuverability of the helicopter even in narrow areas, allows much more detailed measurements than the aeroplane. The aeroplane, on the other hand, allows to survey greater areas.

Another principle of airborne radar further developed for helicopter surveys is the Stepped Frequency Technique. This technology has the advantage, that it allows a better resolution of structures in the underground by an optimized adaptation of the frequency bandwidth. For this reason, this method is especially suitable for geological applications. The development is promoted in cooperation with the company RST group.

Downloads:

• Dieter Eisenburger, Volkmar Damm, Martin Jenett, Harald Lentz : Comparison between Pulse Radar and Stepped Frequency Radar (PDF, 822 KB)
• Flyer Aero-Georadar (2011) (PDF, 440 KB)

Projects (in German):

• Erstmalige Georadar Messungen vom Luftschiff in der Umgebung von Hymendorf
• Ice thicknesses in the Antarctic through pulse radar measurements by helicopter
• Large area ice thickness measurements with pulse radar by fixed-wing airplane in the frame of the PCMEGA expedition
• Glaciological survey of glaciers in Central Chile and Patagonia
• Test flights on Carese Glacier (Northern Italy) with the pulse radar system by helicopter

Airborne radar associates	Function, tasks	Sub-Department	Telefon Direct access 0511-643-	E-Mail contact
Dr. Christina Salat	Stepped Frequency Technique	B3.1	-2807	Christina.Salat@bgr.de
Igor Ozer	Measuring techniques	B3.1	-2800	Igor.Ozer@bgr.de
Dr. Volker Gundelach	Interpretation	B3.1	-3844	Volker.Gundelach@bgr.de
Ulrich Buschmann	Software	B3.1	-2875	Ulrich.Buschmann@bgr.de
Andreas Kellner	Measuring techniques	B3.1	-3523	Andreas.Kellner@bgr.de