Test Range for Geophysical Sensors

Main Benefits

Accuracy

The coordinates of targets are known with cm-level precision to ensure highest accuracy for the interpretation of data acquired by the geophysical sensors

Variety of Targets

The purpose-built testing ground for geophysical sensors has multiple targets of diverse material and size buried in variety of soils

Accessibility

The test range is located in 20min car/taxi ride from the Riga International Airport, which has direct flights from more than 76 cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America

Increased safety

The test range is located in the special use airspace/danger area EVD1 BALOZI ensuring flight and staff safety

For Experts by Experts

Designed for manufacturers, surveying and scientific teams for testing and experiments

Customisation

The test range can be customised: plastic pipes can be filled with liquids, new targets can be buried in variety of soil types, etc.

Test Range Explained

One of its kind!

SPH Engineering is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration service provider. The SPH's flight area is a dedicated air zone (special use airspace/danger area EVD1 BALOZI) and is enriched with a unique 450x70 meters test range for various type geophysical sensor testing with UAVs. This seems to be the first and so far the only such test range in the world!

Dozens of real application scenarios of geological sensors were taken into account to design the testing area. The multiple targets buried in natural soil (layers from sand to clay) mimic the infrastructure (pipes, barrels, etc.) usually inspected. The four kinds of weathers in Latvia give the option to test the technologies in real conditions: i.e. dry soil in summer, wet to extremely muddy - spring/autumn and frozen in winter.

For testing in simpler condition, the area offers also two zones of homogenous sand and black soil - any target can be buried. An asphalt road is located next to the testing field - which allows to test e.g. GPR's to control the road carpet.

Precise Coordinates

The coordinates of all targets are known with cm-level precision. This ensures the highest accuracy of data interpretation.

The depth of the targets was measured from the top of the target to the ground surface.

The diagonal orientation of pipes allows to test the response to the target at a different depth, i.e. distance from the sensors.

All PVC pipes have bends on both sides and can be filled with any liquids if required for testing/experimenting.

Data Samples

Sensys Magdrone R3 Magnetometer

UAV-based magnetometer SENSYS MagDrone R3

Datasets

Geometrics MagArrow Magnetometer

UAV-based magnetometer Geometrics MagArrow

Datasets

Sensys Magdrone R4

UAV-based magnetometer SENSYS MagDrone R4

Datasets

Geonics EM61Lite

UAV-based metal detector Geonics EM61Lite

Datasets

Permanently Installed Targets

List of permanently installed targets

The coordinates of the permanently installed targets are known with cm-level precision to ensure highest accuracy for the interpretation of data acquired by the geophysical sensors

#	Target	Diameter, mm	Length, m	Depth under surface, m
1	Stainless steel pipe	110	6.0	0.4 - 1.0
2	Steel pipe 4.0mm wall	500	6.0	1.0 - 2.0
3	PVC pipe EMPTY	110	6.0	0.4 - 1.0
4	Steel pipe 3.0mm wall	314	6.0	1.0 - 2.0
5	PVC pipe EMPTY	160	6.0	0.5 - 1.5
6	Steel pipe 2.5mm wall	200	6.0	0.5 - 1.5
7	Plastic barrel 50L vertical (empty)	400	0.57	0.5
8	Plastic barrel 50L horizontal (empty)	400	0.57	0.5
9	Steel barrel 200 L, vertical	610	0.88	1.0
10	Plastic barrel 100L vertical (empty)	420	0.70	1.0
11	Steel barrel 200 L, horizontal	610	0.88	1.0
12	Plastic barrel 100L horizontal (empty)	420	0.70	1.0
13	Reinforced concrete pipe	1000	8.0	1.0 - 2.0
14	PVC pipe (water filled)	110	6.0	0.4 - 1.0
15	Steel pipe 3.0mm wall	60	6.0	0.5 - 1.5
16	PVC pipe (water filled)	160	6.0	0.5 - 1.5
17	Steel pipe 1.5mm wall	110	6.0	0.5 - 1.5
18	Plastic barrel 50L vertical (water filled)	400	0.57	0.5
19	Plastic barrel 50L horizontal (water filled)	400	0.57	0.5
20	Steel barrel 200 L, diagonal	610	0.88	1.0
21	Plastic barrel 100L vertical (water filled)	420	0.70	1.0
22	Steel barrel 200 L, flattened (crashed)	610	0.88	1.0
23	Plastic barrel 100L horizontal (water filled)	420	0.70	1.0