A pilot project in collaboration with Conexus Baltic Grid, to verify the applicability of #airborne Ground Penetrating Radars (#GPR) to locate underground gas pipes.

For the subsurface surveys, 124 MHz and 500 MHz GPR antennas were used integrated with a DJI M600 #drone.

The full integration is ensured by adding the onboard UgCS data logger to the system, which automatically on drone take-off starts the logging of GPR data and geotagging it with GPS positions.

The system is also enriched with a laser altimeter, to ensure the flight in True Terrain Following mode - mimicking the surface relief to ensure the #GPR is flown as low as possible.

Drone's flight is planned and managed using the full functionality of ground control software #UgCS.

Results: The 700mm steel pipe is clearly detectable in 1.5meter depth from altitude up to 7meters using 500 MHz #GPR system in sandy soil (typical for Latvia). Acquired and processed data samples can be downloaded on https://files.ugcs.com/s/pjwttKyrP3E2Xed.

Discover GPR+drone integrated system: https://industrial.ugcs.com


JSC „Conexus Baltic Grid” is a unified natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia.
Discover: http://www.conexus.lv/en


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