The Differences Between Real Aperture Radars (RAR) and Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR)
Safety management systems are crucial in mining, however creating a safe work environment has often meant sacrificing productivity and efficiency. Thanks to the increasing range of radar technology, safety systems have been vastly improved, while simultaneously maintaining an efficient and effective work site.
Every mine site is unique, with specific needs and requirements, GroundProbe has designed and developed the broadest range of technologies and services available to predict and react to even the most complex situation. However, the mining industry generally uses two types of radars for geohazard prevention – Real Aperture Radar (RAR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Only GroundProbe offers 3D RAR, 2D RAR and 2D SAR across their fleet of five slope stability radars. Fundamental to radar physics, each has its own benefits and known limitations.
SSR-XT
The SSR-XT is a 3D RAR, designed to provide full 3D real-time imaging. It uses a fine pencil beam to scan in a raster pattern and monitor slope movements of a targeted area. It’s highly effective in monitoring known movements that pose as a potential or immediate threat to both the safety and productivity of mining operations.
SSR-XT was the first Slope Stability Radar developed globally and has become the industry’s most reputable. The system has evolved in the past decade, with improvements made to each series.
Benefits
- Provides targeted monitoring for known, safety-critical risk areas
- Delivers precise measuring data of any wall movements
- Offers a fully customisable scan area for precision targeting and monitoring
- No latencies or delays in the transfer of data
- Pencil beam position can be customised to suit each specific area
- 3D model produced without any external sources
- Deploys quickly and easily
- Highly durable and operates under most weather conditions
- Retains measurement accuracy as the range increases
Similar to SSR-XT, SSR-Agilis is a 3D RAR that utilises interferometric-based radar technology.
Limitations
- Not suitable for long-range monitoring (limited to 3.5km)
- Limited to use in areas where safety risks are known
SSR-FX
The SSR-FX is a strategic, broad area solution designed to detect new risks and hazards. The 2D RAR monitors broad areas through a thin, vertical stripe that quickly sweeps around the wall of the mine site, left to right, detecting hotspots of movement, even in areas that are not critical to current mining operations.
Users can identify new risks and hazards fast, in order to make quick and accurate decisions.
Benefits
- Capable of scanning 210°
- Scans in less than two minutes
- Captures high-quality raw data in one data set
- Manages changes in the atmosphere to deliver data faster
- Provides a pixel resolution of over 1.4 million per scan
- Delivers highly accurate real aperture radar (RAR) measurements
- Allows users to view an entire pit immediately through enhanced plan view
- Deploys quickly and easily
- Operates under most weather conditions
- Highly durable and operates under most weather conditions
- Retains measurement accuracy as the range increases
Limitations
- Not suitable for long range monitoring (limited to 3.5km)
Like SSR-FX, SSR-OMNI is a 2D Rotational RAR that provides unique, real aperture radar measurements that deliver millions of pixels, while being less susceptible to contamination. It is capable of monitoring 360°.
SSR-SARx
The SSR-SARx is a 2D SAR that images walls to form high-resolution targets coupled with a longer integration time, aiming to detect small movements that occur over many months. This solution is effective in recognising new risks and hazards by monitoring areas from long ranges with the highest resolution.
SSR-SARx was developed to mimic the effect of a very large antenna, while overcoming the barriers associated with size and physical integrity. It produces a very long artificial antenna by using a forward motion to carry the short real antenna to consecutive positions along the flight line.
Benefits
- Features 24-hour all-weather technology
- Operational at night or when clouds and smoke are present
- Range of 4.5km
- Designed for large mine sites requiring a long-range solution (beyond 3.5km)
- Overcomes the limitations of spatial resolution in azimuth direction
- Enables engineers to design and model the operating parameters, maximising radar returns and the data collected against specific targets
- Offers unparalleled resolution with pixels of 0.083 degrees by 75 centimetres
- Ability to detect both fast and slow-moving failures with 50 percent greater resolution than other SAR systems
- Offers an end-to-end scan speed of two minutes
- Data from the scan is acquired in 40 seconds with no latencies or delays
- Features an exclusive algorithm that reduces the raw SAR data by 96.5 percent
- Monitors slow movement
- Capable of long term or campaign monitoring
- Compact, small and lightweight
- Continuous monitoring with low power consumption
- Provides live movement review and assessment through an integrated imaging system, producing real-time photographs that are registered alongside the radar data
- Maintains measurement accuracy even as the range increases
Slope stability monitoring plays a significant role in the safety and productivity of mining operations around the world. No two geotechnical problems are alike. By offering a range of Slope Stability Radar technologies, including 2D and 3D RAR, and 2D SAR; GroundProbe can ensure there’s a solution to suit every mining operation’s unique needs.