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An acoustic scatter-mapping imaging system

University of British Columbia

The development of improved models of seismic diffraction is assisted by the availability of accurate scattering data. An acoustic scatter-mapping system was developed for the purpose of providing such data rapidly and at low cost. This system uses a source-receiver pair suspended on a trolley over the structure to be mapped. Signal generation, acquisition, processing, and plotting are performed on an AT-compatible microcomputer and a laser printer. The entire process can be performed in an automated manner within five hours, generating scatter-mapping plots in a format familiar to the geophysical industry. The system hardware was similar to those of Hilterman [1] and others referenced by him, but used a controlled source transducer. The available processing power of a microcomputer allowed the use of a 1 to 15 KHz swept-frequency source signal, similar to that used in Vibroseis and Chirp Radar, which is later crosscorrelated with received signal to provide precise scatter-mapping data for the target structure. Several examples of theoretical and experimental acoustic scatter-mappings are provided for comparison. The novelty of this system lies in its use of a swept frequency source signal. While common in the fields of seismology and radar, swept frequency source signals are new to the area of acoustic scatter mapping. When compared to a similar system using a pulsed source signal, this system produces a better controlled source signal of greater energy, resulting in a more useful resultant signal and better mapping characteristics. The system was able to map scattering from features in the target structure smaller than one percent of the crosscorrelated source signal's 37 mm dominant wavelength.

Text

2010-10-29

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29684

Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of British Columbia

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