Method for Non-Destructive Examination of a Sample with a Radar, in Particular Geo-Radar Device, Radar Device, Computer Program and Computer Program Product

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This invention provides a method and apparatus for non-destructive examination of samples (such as soil, concrete, or other materials) using a radar device, especially a geo-radar (ground-penetrating radar) system equipped with multiple transceivers that act as both transmitters and receivers. The core of the invention is a new calibration and measurement strategy that does not require removal or movement of fixed radar installations or calibration in known reference media (like air). Instead, it uses reciprocal (two-way) measurements between pairs of transceivers to determine the travel time of radar signals through a sample. This data is used to infer properties such as permittivity or conductivity, which can be related to material composition, presence of water, or structural integrity. The system can be software-controlled, allowing automated and repeatable measurements, and is particularly suited for long-term monitoring or in-situ analysis of samples.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Monitoring soil moisture and properties in agricultural fields using fixed geo-radar installations.
• Structural health monitoring and integrity assessment of civil structures such as bridges, concrete pillars, or roads without invasive probing or core sampling.
• Long-term, automated underground water or contaminant monitoring using sensors embedded around or within the sampling area (e.g., with lysimeters).
• Pipeline or infrastructure leak detection by monitoring changes in material properties (such as water ingress).
• Detection of anomalies such as cracks, voids, or inclusions in building materials over time.
• Geological surveys for mapping sub-surface structures without disruptive drilling.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Accurate, non-destructive analysis of material properties without needing to move radar sensors or expose them to air for calibration.
• Enables fixed, in-situ monitoring over long periods, suitable for stationary installations and continuous data collection.
• Improved reliability and accuracy compared to previous methods since reciprocal measurements eliminate the need for external calibration with known references.
• Reduces setup complexity and time, as no special calibration procedures or reference media are needed after installation.
• Flexible and scalable to large sensor arrays (e.g., 3000 transceivers), allowing high-resolution imaging and tomographic analysis.
• Automatable and software-driven, supporting efficient and repeatable measurement workflows.
• Applicable to a wide range of samples, including soil, concrete, and other materials, making it versatile for environmental, civil engineering, and industrial applications.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for non-destructive examination of a sample (7) with a radar device (1), wherein the radar device (1) comprises a plurality of transceivers (2), in which- one or more reciprocal measurements between transceiver pairs are performed (step S1), wherein a reciprocal measurement includes in each case a forward measurement and a return measurement,- by reference to the arrival time of the measurement signal at the one transceiver (2) during the respective forward measurement, forward arrival time (ta i j), and the arrival time of the measurement signal at the other transceiver during the respective return measurement, return arrival time (ta j i), at least one transit time (tp, tp i j) of the measurement signal between the two transceivers (2) is determined (step S2), and- from the at least one transit time (tp, tpij, tpji) conclusions are drawn regarding properties of the sample (7) to be examined (step S3).