Ground penetrating radar for measurement of ice regime

Abstract

The ground penetrating radar(GPR) is a new method for measurement of ice regime. For overcoming disadvantages of single frequency radar system, this study presents a double frequency radar system with 100 MHz and 1500 MHz working frequency to measure water depth and ice thickness at the same time. And a RTK system is also used in this system to collect GPS coordinates of measuring points. To avoid interference, 100 MHz and 1500 MHz radars work alternately and the working cycle is 15 ms. Consider that ice thickness and water depth change gradually, a correlation algorithm is used to track and measure horizon data to improve measuring accuracy. Based on the dual-frequency radar technology, the dronemounted ice radar, fixed-point ice radar and portable single-point ice radar was developed. 

The field survey was carried out at Heilongjiang River where was the northern area in China. The ice thickness measuring points and that of water depth were used to compare radar system with traditional drill-hole method. This study provides a valuable reference for the future ice regime observation.