Ground-Based SAR Radar

The Ground-Based SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) uses microwaves to detect the displacement of each point on the target. It consists of a ground-based interferometric sensor with characteristics similar to those used on satellite platforms. This radar employs electromagnetic techniques for remote sensing to assess the dynamic behavior of various structures, such as bridges or wind turbines, for structural identification and defect detection. A defect can be detected by monitoring changes in the structure’s natural frequencies over time.

 The IBIS system is a ground-based interferometric radar capable of measuring displacements with sub-millimeter precision.

The IBIS-FS system is based on two techniques commonly used in radar imaging:

• Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar: enables the detection of different targets along the radar’s measurement direction, providing distance resolution.
• Interferometry: allows the determination of the displacement of each target by comparing the phase difference between the emitted signal and the radar echo.

Continuous acquisition: day and night under all weather conditions, with real-time displacement measurements without in-situ sensors.

Sub-millimeter precision: 0.01 to 0.1 mm depending on the range, with a maximum displacement of 10 mm per acquisition.

Simultaneous multi-point measurements.

Long measurement distance: up to 1 km, enabling measurements in inaccessible areas or on very large structures.

Real-time data processing: allows monitoring of both slow and fast displacements over a frequency range of 0 to 200 Hz.

Fast acquisition time: between 3 and 5 minutes (up to 200 Hz).

Temperature resistance: -20 °C to 50 °C, with IP66 protection rating (fully waterproof).

Easy and quick setup: requires only one person, installation in 10 minutes. Fast acquisition → reduced costs.

The GBSAR can be used for static measurements (load testing, strain and displacement measurements, maintenance prevention, or structural behavior monitoring of bridges) as well as for dynamic measurements (determination of cable vibration frequencies, natural frequencies of structures, real-time displacements of civil engineering structures, modal analysis, and structural reliability assessment).