Sensors & Software pulseEKKO User manual

2005-00040-09

ii

Warranty Confirmation
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Warranty Confirmation
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Warranty Confirmation
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1999-00236-04

ix
Important Safety Information
Use the DVL only as specified in these operating instructions or the protection provided by the
unit may be impaired.
The battery charger/AC adapter must only be connected to a power outlet which provides a
protective earth (ground).
Connect the AC power cord only to designated power sources as marked on the battery
charger/AC adapter.
The battery charger/AC adapter is rated for indoors use only.
Do not replace detachable MAINS supply cords for the battery charger/AC adapter by
inadequately RATED cords.
The exterior of this product should be cleaned using a damp cloth.
Safety Symbols
Consult this documentation in all cases where this safety symbol appears. This
symbol is used to inform you of any potential HAZARD or actions that require your attention.

x

Table of Contents
xi
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................1
2. Assembly ..............................................................................................................3
2.1 Low Frequency Antennas 4
2.2 High Frequency Transducers 8
3. Assembling Full Configurations.......................................................................11
3.1 Bistatic System 11
3.2 SmartCart 15
3.3 SmartTow 29
3.4 SmartChariot 39
3.5 TR1000 47
3.6 Connecting Cables 50
3.7 Accessories 57
4. Getting Started ...................................................................................................61
4.1 Powering up the Low Frequency Transmitter and Receiver 61
4.2 Powering up the DVL 62
4.3 Interacting with the DVL 64
4.4 Swipe Down menu 65
4.5 Quick Start for Collecting Data 67
5. Tools and Preferences.......................................................................................69
5.1 Preferences 70
5.2 System Test 83
5.3 File Management 99
6. System Configuration......................................................................................105
6.1 GPR Parameters 106
6.2 Survey Parameters 118
6.3 Incompatible Settings 134
7. Collecting Data.................................................................................................135
7.1 Line Scan 137
7.2 Grid Scan 155
7.3 Processing Data 167
8. Slice View..........................................................................................................169
8.1 Depth 170
8.2 Line View 170
8.3 Color 171
8.4 Grid Lines 172
8.5 Recollecting lines 174
9. Map View...........................................................................................................175
9.1 Accessing Map View 175
10. Managing Data..................................................................................................179
10.1 Screenshots 179
10.2 Emailing Mini-Reports 181
10.3 Using the Hotspot on your Smartphone 182
10.4 Transferring Data to a PC 183
10.5 EKKO_Project 185

Table of Contents
xii
11. Surveying Techniques & Tips.........................................................................187
11.1 Low Frequency Full Bistatic Operation 187
11.2 Triggers 189
11.3 Measuring Position 190
11.4 Low Frequency on a SmartCart 191
11.5 Antenna Geometry 192
11.6 Common Mid-Point (CMP) Surveys 193
12. Troubleshooting...............................................................................................195
12.1 Initializing 195
12.2 Power Supplies 195
12.3 Communication Errors 197
12.4 Receiver Related Errors 197
12.5 Transmitter Related Errors 198
12.6 Time Zero Jitter 198
12.7 System Overheating 199
12.8 Creating a Test Line for Data Quality 199
12.9 Contacting the Vendor for Service 199
13. Care & Maintenance.........................................................................................201
13.1 General 201
13.2 Cable Care 201
13.3 Battery Care 205
13.4 Electronic Spares 207
13.5 Storage Cases 208
13.6 Upgrading Embedded Software on DVL 208
14. Technical Specifications .................................................................................211
14.1 Low Frequency Hardware Specifications 211
14.2 High Frequency Hardware Specifications 212
14.3 System Specifications 212
14.4 Battery Specifications 212
14.5 DVL Specifications 213
Appendix A: Excerpts from the HP Fibre Optic Handbook ...................................215
Appendix B: GPR Signal Processing Artifacts.......................................................217
Wow 217
Dewow Filter 218
Pulse Precursor 219
Clipping 220
Appendix C: GPR Knowledge ..................................................................................223
Appendix D: Health & Safety Certification..............................................................225
Appendix E: GPR Emissions, Interference and Regulations ................................227
Appendix F: Instrument Interference.......................................................................235
Appendix G: Safety around Explosive Devices......................................................237
Appendix H: Wi-Fi Module........................................................................................239

Introduction
1
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a pulseEKKO Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system.
pulseEKKO is designed to meet the needs of GPR professionals by addressing a wide range of
GPR applications. The variety of components available allow for a truly customizable unit.
Features include:
•Multiple frequencies provide a variety of exploration depths and spatial resolutions
required by different applications.
•Lower frequency (LF) antennas with center frequencies and bandwidths of 12.5, 25, 50,
100 and 200 MHz connected to transmitter and receiver electronic modules.
•Shielded, higher frequency (HF) transducers provide center frequencies and bandwidths
of 250, 500 and 1000 MHz.
•Several antennas and/or transducers can be deployed simultaneously when using
SPIDAR hardware.
•Multiple configurations and deployment methods provide practical field operation.
•The fully bistatic configuration enables variable antenna offsets and orientations for
advanced survey types such as multi-offset, trans-illumination and multi-polarization.
•Data is collected and displayed on the new DVL-500. The DVL-500 is a ruggedized
display, with a high-visibility touchscreen, Wi-Fi compatibility and easy USB data export.
•Acquired data is in Sensors & Software's industry standard format. Post-processing and
analysis can be accomplished by importing the data into the EKKO_Project software.
The first half of this manual describes the physical assembly of the various configurations. The
remainder describes menu operation, data collection, troubleshooting and techniques for proper
surveying.

Introduction
2

Assembly
3
2. Assembly
The image below displays all the antennas and transducers that are available for the
pulseEKKO. All antennas and transducers come in pairs: one for transmitting and one for
receiving. The one exception is the TR1000, which combines the 1000 MHz transmitter and
receiver into a single, integrated sensor head.
The DVL (short for Digital Video Logger) is a ruggedized field computer that displays, and stores
collected data. All the cable connections, including power, plug into receptacles on the back of
the DVL.

Assembly
4
2.1 Low Frequency Antennas
You can configure the pulseEKKO with 12.5, 25, 50, 100, or 200 MHz low frequency,
unshielded, bistatic antennas. The shortest antennas (200 MHz) are 0.5 meters long, while the
longest antennas (12.5 MHz) are 8 meters long.
2.1.1 Attaching Antenna Sockets to the Transmitter & Receiver
Insert and tighten the two female brass antenna sockets into the bottom of the transmitter and
receiver electronic boxes. Finger-tighten the sockets; do not over-tighten. These should be
checked every time the transmitter and receiver are connected to the antennas, as they may get
loose during regular field operations.
Battery
port
Odometer
Cable
Serial port
for GPS
Transmitter
& Receiver
ports

Assembly
5
2.1.2 Latching the Transmitter & Receiver to the Antenna Mounting
Blocks
Place the transmitter and receiver electronic boxes onto the black mounting blocks in the middle
of the antennas, ensuring the brass sockets connect to the brass pins in the antenna.
Connect the electronics boxes to the mounting block using the two plastic draw latch
connectors.
2.1.3 Inserting batteries into the Transmitter & Receiver
Unlatch and then open the two battery covers on the sides of the transmitter and receiver.
Place one 12-volt battery on each side of each of the electronics boxes. Make sure the positive
(+) terminal faces inward toward the electronics.

Assembly
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NOTE: The battery is “keyed” with a notch in one side so it only fits properly in this
orientation.
Close and latch the battery covers.
2.1.4 Attaching Skid Plates to Antennas
When using the SmartCart (3.2)or SmartTow (3.3), it is recommended to use antenna skid
plates which protect the antennas from damage caused by contact with the ground when
moving.

Assembly
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The antennas are secured with Velcro straps to the skid plates. The picture below shows an
assembled SmartCart with antenna skid plates.
2.1.5 Attaching Fibre Optic Converters to the DVL
Fibre optic cables connect low frequency (12.5 to 200 MHz) transmitter and receiver electronics
to the back of the DVL. First, attach the fibre optic converters to the back of the DVL and secure
them using the latches shown in the following image.
Velcro
straps

Assembly
8
To connect fibre optic cables, see section on Connecting Fibre Optic Cables (3.6.2).
2.2 High Frequency Transducers
2.2.1 Bistatic Transducer Assembly
pulseEKKO can use three high frequency, shielded, bistatic antennas: 250, 500, and 1000 MHz.
Each component is a transducer because it consists of both an antenna and either the
transmitter or receiver electronics. The transmitting transducer is indicated by Tx, e.g. Tx500,
while the receiving transducer is indicated by Rx, e.g. Rx500.
Fibre optic converter