The Radiodetection RD1500 offers the latest technology available in ground penetrating radar, and is equipped with a host of features, including Depth Slices and Line Views, which allows the operator to review slices of the scanned subsurface at different depths for a level of clarity and detail previously unavailable.

Ground Penetrating Radar, or GPR enables the subsurface to be mapped and can reveal buried infrastructure which is both conductive and non-conductive, such as plastic pipes and ducts, concrete and clay structures and pipes and rebar in concrete. A ground penetrating radar system can detect a wider range of buried utilities than an electromagnetic cable and pipe locator, including those utilities which would traditionally require a rod and sonde to detect.

The RD1500 utilises a wide band sensor, centred on 250MHz, but uses a new technology known as FrequenSee™. This is a proprietary technology which allows the user to select the low, medium or high part of the the frequency spectrum to selectively enhance small, medium, large or all targets for easier viewing and detection. By exploiting the existing wide bandwidth, FrequenSee™ highlights small and shallow, medium, or large and deep buried utilities, which provides the benefits of a multi-antenna system, while still maintaining the quality of a single antenna system. Ground Penetrating Radar Systems utilising multiple antennas generally have increased complexity, higher repair and maintenance costs and also a potential reduction in their data quality due to noise, interference and cross-talk. With the RD1500, and the FrequenSee™ technology, this is eliminated.

FrequenSee™ Screen Shots: 

The below screen shots show the various selections. The left hand image has small and shallow targets selected, which optimises shallow buried utilities. Shallow utilities previously would have required a higher frequency sensor to detect. The second image has the "medium" band selected which allows viewing of shallow services near to the surface, but with some deeper objects also identified. The third image has "large" selected, which optimises those services and utilities which are buried at greater depths, and would normally not be within the range of a higher frequency GPR system, and the image on the right has "all" selected. This technology offers the depth benefits of a low frequency ground penetrating radar, and the shallow detail benefits of a high frequency ground penetrating radar, but in a single wide band unit. The operator can selectively enhance shallow/small, medium depth, or deep/large targets whilst out on site using the proprietary FrequenSee™ feature.

                            Small                                                            Medium                                                         Large                                                                All

The RD1500 makes it possible for the user not only to see line views when performing ground radar scans, but also to utilise depth slices. A depth slice increases the clarity of the collected data by allowing the user to view horizontal slices at different depths to display cables, pipes and other utilities with an unprecedented level of clarity. The standard view offered by many ground penetrating systems will only allow the user to look at the data as a vertical cross section from the surface to the deepest part of the subsurface which the GPR unit can display. Depth slices allow the operator to view the ground as if it is being viewed from above at different depth. This brings out the detail in buried services which may otherwise go undetected, especially if they have a small cross sectional area. Depth slices turn the RD1500 into a precision ground penetrating radar system, aimed squarely at professional level surveys.

Depth Slice Screen Shot: 

The below screen shot is taken from the RD1500 software program. The standard view on the left clearly shows two responses. However as this view represents a cross sectional area, it shows the buried utilities in relation to a vertical slice of soil. The image on the right hand side represents a depth slice, and now much more detail is present, including the location of the services, allowing for easier and faster marking out, and also ensuring that smaller details are not as likely to be missed, increasing the risk of expensive utility damage when excavating.

GPS and Map View: 

The RD1500 ground penetrating radar system includes internal GPS as standard, which permits the use of the unique Map View feature, allowing the user to view the path travelled by the GPR system, together with any on-screen markers made. If you are looking for higher accuracy positioning data, then you can opt for the RD1500's external GPS module, which enables generation of KMZ files. These files can be opened in Google Earth giving the geographic position of where the saved surveys were performed and the ability to view the screen shots that may have been captured. These screen shots can be easily saved with a single button push to the RD1500 internal memory, together with the GPS and other information, and can be emailed to colleagues or clients by utilising the on board WiFi, or exported via USB later.

On-Board WiFi: 

Along with a high resolution touch screen, the RD1500 ground penetrating radar is equipped with built in WiFi, which allows the operator to save information, and email details whilst still on site to customers and colleagues. Whilst on site, a mobile hot spot or wireless network can be utilised to connect the RD1500 via it's WiFi, and reports can be compiled and sent without even leaving site, enabling key decisions to be made there and then and aiding to productivity and return on investment.

Optional Upgrade Packages: 

The RD1500 also has an optional upgrade package, which includes the EKKO_Project software, allowing the data to be analysed and manage through a PC. This software gives the user even more flexibility by allowing you to slice through the exported depth data, export data to other formats and even further features.

The upgraded EKKO_Project software enables a range of expanded features and permits the user to:

• See grids and line sets
• Copy, paste and delete lines, See which lines have attachments (such as GPS data)
• Select lines to view and process
• See GPR line data using settings from the field (gain, filter, colour palette)
• Save images to graphic file formats (JPEG, PNG etc)
• Display all types of interpretations

The properties tabs display: 

• Acquisitions Tab - which lists detailed information about how the GPR line data was acquired (line length, frequency etc.)
• Processing Tab - Lists any processing done to the GPR line data
• Attachment Tab - Allows the user to attach ANY file to the data (for example, photos, videos, voice recordings, maps, Word documents)

The Map View: 

• Shows data in plain view
• Grids and data collected with GPS
• Grids collected with GPS appear in the correct position
• Grids not collected with GPS can be moved together
• Displays flags and interps
• Save images to graphic file formats (such as JPG, PNG etc.)
• Enhanced owners see depth slices in map view as soon as their data is opened
• You can slice through the data using the slider bar or the mouse wheel

A summary report can be created and exported in PDF format. The PDF report includes data images saved from EKKO_Project software, screenshots and photos attached to the project and their text AND custom company logo. In addition, data can be exported to other formats, such as CSV, SEG-Y etc. and GPR lines can also be merged together along with GPS position and latency correction.

Utility Suite, which is an optional software program upgrade, gives RD1500 users more flexibility in data management. Utility Suite offers features such as:

Line View Module:

• Users can plot GPR lines and
• Modify the view settings (colour palette, gain, filter etc.) to optimise the image
• Correct data for elevation
• Plot a line with a time scale
• Velocity Calibration
• Multiple lines at once
• Wiggle trace plots

Interpretation Module: 

• Add interpretations to GPR lines (points, polylines, boxes, annotations)
• Point interpretations are displayed in Map View
• Interps can be output in various reports like Google Earth™, CAD, GIS)
• Export into other formats, such as CAD and Google Earth™

Slice View Module: 

• Process and display grid data as GPR lines and depth slices
• Output data into 3D format for importing into 3D visualisation software such as Voxler®
• Allows the user to change the colour palette, gain, filter, slice thickness etc.
• Output depth slices to Google Earth™

RD1500 Ground Penetrating Radar Features and Benefits:

 Enhancement Upgrade Comparison:

  RD1500 Accessories: