Buried Objects Detection via Magnetic Loop

This application note describes use of WIPL-D software suite for simulation of the coupling between an object buried in the ground and a magnetic loop above the ground. The note illustrates that variation of the coupling with the movement of the loop can be used to detect the buried metal objects. Simulations are carried out using WIPL-D Pro, a full wave 3D EM method-of-moment (MoM) based solver. The WIPL-D simulation software offers excellent speed, accuracy and produces reliable results, even at extremely low frequencies, such is the case described in this application.

Simulated scenario of buried objects detection via magnetic loop consists of thin aluminium plate located 3 m under the ground surface. Magnetic dipole is placed 2.2 m above the ground and swept above the buried aluminium strip in order to examine the change in the magnetic field value which could be used to detect a buried metal object.

Simulation was carried out at the operation frequency of 10 kHz. Small wire loop has the shape of the circle with radius set to 1/3 m (33 cm). The magnetic loop was moved in the interval [-15 m, 15 m] directly above the buried object to simplify the process illustration.

The simulation requires extremely low number of unknowns, under 500 and therefore the calculations could be very fast typically taking 1-2 sec on everyday desktop or laptop PC.

Section: Low Frequency

For full version of the document, please check the following pdf.