Gigahertz Electro-magnetic Array Roaming Sensors (GEARS)
GEARS (Gigahertz Electro-magnetic Array Roaming Sensors) is a small, high-frequency ground-penetrating radar array that will detect delamination, trapped moisture, rebar corrosion and similar faults that would be invisible from the surface.
GEARS will use an advance in air-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR) yet to be developed to detect subsurface defects. Although GPR is already used for inspections, current equipment is large and bulky and needs to be towed behind a vehicle or pushed by hand. VOTERS intends to develop a much smaller, lightweight component that can be mounted beneath a vehicle and operate accurately at normal travel speeds.
- Phase-array subsurface GPR system
- Compact antenna array
- Operates at 60 mph highway speed
- Depth of penetration up to 2 feet
- Price and performance goals
- Corrosion and delamination detection
- FCC compliance