Abstract
In this paper we extend the Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method to a moving vertical transmitter (TX)/receiver (RX) array. We first develop the theoretical basis for the vertical array-DTAC method and then we employ this analysis along with numerical examples to explain the physical phenomenology behind the DTAC method. In order to account for the precise orientations of the TX and RXs in the vertical DTAC array, the DTAC method uses the components of the measured magnetic field to numerically determine the null direction at a reference frequency. The measured fields are then also used to calculate the fields that exist in the reference null orientation at one or more additional frequencies. When no target is present within a layered earth, the induced conduction currents flow in simple circular patterns that are centered below the transmitter. Since the magnetic field patterns that are produced by these currents will be frequency-independent, no change in the null direction will occur and the vertical array-DTAC method effectively nulls out the combined primary and layered-earth fields. On the other hand, if either a conductive or resistive subsurface target is present that alters the flow patterns for the conduction currents in a manner that produces a frequency-dependent scattered magnetic field pattern, then the null orientation will change with frequency, and the DTAC method will pick up the small magnetic-field response associated with the buried target. In essence, the DTAC method removes the effects of the large primary field and layered-earth responses, even with misaligned RXs, thereby allowing for the accurate measurement of the much smaller target response. In addition, the vertical array-DTAC method also suppresses the responses of conductive surface clutter since the eddy currents that flow in such clutter lead to magnetic field patterns, and null directions, that are predominately frequency independent. In fact, we find that the DTAC magnitude response is reduced by 60. dB for a plate target with 10. kS conductance when it is in air compared with when the same plate is in a 10. Ω-m halfspace. Thus, the vertical-DTAC system allows for the discrimination between false targets (conductive surface clutter) and buried targets of interest.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 34-49 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Geophysics |
| Volume | 105 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
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Keywords
- Airborne
- Current channeling
- Electrical methods
- Frequency domain
- Imaging
- Sensing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
Cite this
Analytical studies of the vertical array-Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method for rapid sensing and imaging of subsurface targets. / Dvorak, Steven L; Sternberg, Ben K.
In: Journal of Applied Geophysics, Vol. 105, 2014, p. 34-49.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Analytical studies of the vertical array-Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method for rapid sensing and imaging of subsurface targets
AU - Dvorak, Steven L
AU - Sternberg, Ben K
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - In this paper we extend the Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method to a moving vertical transmitter (TX)/receiver (RX) array. We first develop the theoretical basis for the vertical array-DTAC method and then we employ this analysis along with numerical examples to explain the physical phenomenology behind the DTAC method. In order to account for the precise orientations of the TX and RXs in the vertical DTAC array, the DTAC method uses the components of the measured magnetic field to numerically determine the null direction at a reference frequency. The measured fields are then also used to calculate the fields that exist in the reference null orientation at one or more additional frequencies. When no target is present within a layered earth, the induced conduction currents flow in simple circular patterns that are centered below the transmitter. Since the magnetic field patterns that are produced by these currents will be frequency-independent, no change in the null direction will occur and the vertical array-DTAC method effectively nulls out the combined primary and layered-earth fields. On the other hand, if either a conductive or resistive subsurface target is present that alters the flow patterns for the conduction currents in a manner that produces a frequency-dependent scattered magnetic field pattern, then the null orientation will change with frequency, and the DTAC method will pick up the small magnetic-field response associated with the buried target. In essence, the DTAC method removes the effects of the large primary field and layered-earth responses, even with misaligned RXs, thereby allowing for the accurate measurement of the much smaller target response. In addition, the vertical array-DTAC method also suppresses the responses of conductive surface clutter since the eddy currents that flow in such clutter lead to magnetic field patterns, and null directions, that are predominately frequency independent. In fact, we find that the DTAC magnitude response is reduced by 60. dB for a plate target with 10. kS conductance when it is in air compared with when the same plate is in a 10. Ω-m halfspace. Thus, the vertical-DTAC system allows for the discrimination between false targets (conductive surface clutter) and buried targets of interest.
AB - In this paper we extend the Differential Target Antenna Coupling (DTAC) method to a moving vertical transmitter (TX)/receiver (RX) array. We first develop the theoretical basis for the vertical array-DTAC method and then we employ this analysis along with numerical examples to explain the physical phenomenology behind the DTAC method. In order to account for the precise orientations of the TX and RXs in the vertical DTAC array, the DTAC method uses the components of the measured magnetic field to numerically determine the null direction at a reference frequency. The measured fields are then also used to calculate the fields that exist in the reference null orientation at one or more additional frequencies. When no target is present within a layered earth, the induced conduction currents flow in simple circular patterns that are centered below the transmitter. Since the magnetic field patterns that are produced by these currents will be frequency-independent, no change in the null direction will occur and the vertical array-DTAC method effectively nulls out the combined primary and layered-earth fields. On the other hand, if either a conductive or resistive subsurface target is present that alters the flow patterns for the conduction currents in a manner that produces a frequency-dependent scattered magnetic field pattern, then the null orientation will change with frequency, and the DTAC method will pick up the small magnetic-field response associated with the buried target. In essence, the DTAC method removes the effects of the large primary field and layered-earth responses, even with misaligned RXs, thereby allowing for the accurate measurement of the much smaller target response. In addition, the vertical array-DTAC method also suppresses the responses of conductive surface clutter since the eddy currents that flow in such clutter lead to magnetic field patterns, and null directions, that are predominately frequency independent. In fact, we find that the DTAC magnitude response is reduced by 60. dB for a plate target with 10. kS conductance when it is in air compared with when the same plate is in a 10. Ω-m halfspace. Thus, the vertical-DTAC system allows for the discrimination between false targets (conductive surface clutter) and buried targets of interest.
KW - Airborne
KW - Current channeling
KW - Electrical methods
KW - Frequency domain
KW - Imaging
KW - Sensing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84896990094&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84896990094&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2014.03.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2014.03.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84896990094
VL - 105
SP - 34
EP - 49
JO - Journal of Applied Geophysics
JF - Journal of Applied Geophysics
SN - 0926-9851
ER -