ImpulseRadar Raptor – High-Speed 3D Ground Penetrating Radar Array

Key Features of ImpulseRadar Raptor

• High-speed multi-channel 3D GPR data acquisition

• Real-Time Sampling (RTS) technology

• Modular antenna configuration from single-channel systems to large multi-channel arrays

• Interchangeable Raptor-45, Raptor-80 and Raptor-17 antenna options

• High-density data collection for detailed 3D subsurface imaging

• Pushcart and vehicle-mounted survey configurations

• Integration with external RTK-GPS and Total Station positioning systems

• Synchronized data acquisition and positioning information

• Talon-2 software for data acquisition and system control

• Condor software for 3D GPR processing and interpretation

• ViewR software for field data visualization and quality checking

Raptor Antenna Options

The Raptor platform supports different antenna frequencies to address different survey requirements. The choice of antenna affects the balance between penetration and spatial resolution, and should be based on the target type, survey conditions and required level of detail.

Raptor-45 – 450 MHz

Raptor-45 is designed for general-purpose 3D subsurface mapping applications. Its 450 MHz centre frequency provides a balance between penetration and resolution, making it suitable for utility mapping, archaeological investigations, railway surveys and infrastructure assessment.

It can be configured in multi-channel arrays for both pushcart and vehicle-mounted surveys.

Raptor-80 – 800 MHz

Raptor-80 operates at an 800 MHz centre frequency and is intended for applications where higher spatial resolution is required. It is suitable for investigating shallow subsurface structures, roadbed layers, pavement conditions and concrete-related applications.

The higher operating frequency generally provides more detailed information about shallow targets, although penetration is influenced by ground conditions and material properties.

Raptor-17 – 170 MHz

Raptor-17 is a lower-frequency antenna option intended for applications requiring a different penetration and resolution balance. Its larger physical dimensions mean that it does not fit the standard Raptor carrier options and requires a suitable custom carrier arrangement.

The appropriate configuration should be confirmed with the manufacturer according to the intended survey application.

Modular Multi-Channel Architecture

One of the main advantages of the Raptor platform is its modular design. Individual transmitter and receiver antennas can be arranged into different configurations to create a multi-channel GPR array.

The number and arrangement of channels can be selected according to the required survey width, antenna frequency, carrier type and project objectives. The manufacturer documents configurations ranging from single-channel arrangements to systems with up to 30 channels.

This flexibility allows survey teams to adapt the equipment to different projects instead of relying on a fixed antenna configuration.

A large array can also be divided into smaller configurations when required, providing additional flexibility for equipment deployment and project planning.

Pushcart and Vehicle-Mounted Configurations

ImpulseRadar Raptor supports different carrier solutions for different survey environments.

Pushcart Configuration

The pushcart configuration is designed for manually operated surveys in areas such as sidewalks, pavements, smaller survey sites and locations with restricted vehicle access.

The standard carrier supports up to 8 channels for Raptor-45 and up to 12 channels for Raptor-80, according to the manufacturer's technical documentation.

Its foldable design makes transportation and storage easier. The antenna mounting arrangement allows adjustment to maintain suitable ground clearance and contact conditions during data acquisition.

Vehicle-Mounted Configuration

For large-area surveys and road investigations, Raptor can be installed on a suitable survey vehicle.

The vehicle-mounted system supports up to 18 Raptor-45 channels or up to 28 Raptor-80 channels in the configurations specified in the current user manual.

This arrangement enables rapid data collection over extensive survey areas. Raptor-45 configurations can achieve survey speeds exceeding 130 km/h at a 5 cm point interval, while the documented Raptor-80 configuration supports speeds exceeding 70 km/h at the same point interval.

Actual survey speed depends on the antenna configuration, positioning system, acquisition settings, road conditions and project requirements.

Easy set up kit

We are pleased to announce a redesign to the internal mechanics of the Raptor vehicle-mount carrier. This change increases the flexibility of the Raptor 3D GPR array solution by enabling quicker reconfiguration between the Raptor pushcart and vehicle-mount carriers. While it has always been possible to make such changes due to Raptor’s modular design, the accompanying video shows how this new arrangement makes it that much easier and faster.

Benefits

• Quickly change configurations to suit site conditions
• Serve a broader range of projects
• Save money on equipment investment

3D GPR Data Acquisition and Imaging

A conventional single-channel GPR survey typically requires multiple parallel survey lines to build a dataset covering a wider area. The quality of the resulting 3D model depends heavily on line spacing, positioning accuracy and interpolation.

Raptor uses multiple closely spaced antenna channels to collect data simultaneously. This creates a denser dataset and reduces the need for repeated passes with a single antenna.

The collected data can be processed into 3D visualizations, allowing survey professionals to examine subsurface structures from different directions and investigate the spatial relationships between detected features.

The closely spaced measurements also help reduce information loss associated with widely spaced survey lines and excessive interpolation.

Positioning and Survey Synchronization

Accurate positioning is essential for producing reliable 3D GPR datasets.

Raptor supports wheel encoder-based distance measurement and external positioning systems, including survey-grade RTK-GPS and Total Station equipment.

The system uses its internal GPS timing functionality to time-tag individual data records. External RTK-GPS or Total Station equipment is recommended for accurate spatial positioning, particularly when collecting data for 3D mapping.

The manufacturer recommends survey-grade positioning with centimetre-level accuracy for 3D data collection. In locations where reliable satellite positioning is unavailable, a Total Station can be used as an alternative.