| Feature | Zond Aero 1000 NG | UAV-mounted 2D GPR | Relevance to Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radar Center Frequency | 1000 MHz | 900 MHz | Both meet the requirement of ~1.5 GHz range; Zond Aero is slightly closer to 1.5 GHz. |
| Detection Depth | Up to 2 m (depends on ground properties) | 10 cm target: 10 cm (non-metal), 50 cm (metal) | Zond Aero provides greater depth for varied targets, aligning better with general needs for subsurface mapping. |
| Vertical Resolution | Theoretical: 0.04 m, Practical: 0.09 m (as per calculator) | <10 cm (specified) | Both systems meet or exceed the vertical resolution requirement. |
| Lateral Resolution | Footprint at depth: 0.42 m (as per calculator) | Centimeter-level | UAV-mounted GPR explicitly meets the lateral resolution requirement (5–10 cm). |
| Scan Rate | Up to 2500 scans/s | Up to 2048 scans/s | Zond Aero offers higher scan rate, which may allow for faster data collection. |
| Sampling Points per Scan | Up to 8192 | Up to 2048 | Zond Aero supports significantly more sampling points, leading to higher data granularity. |
| Ingress Protection | IP68 (terrestrial), IP52 (airborne) | IP65 | Zond Aero is more rugged (IP68) for ground surveys; UAV-mounted is more balanced for aerial use. |
| Weight | 1.8 kg (airborne), 7 kg (with ground survey box) | <10 kg | Both meet UAV payload capacity requirements, though Zond Aero is lighter for airborne configurations. |
| Environmental Tolerance | -20°C to 60°C (operational) | -20°C to 50°C (operational) | Both meet the required temperature range, though Zond Aero has a slightly wider range. |
| Power Supply | Drone battery (airborne), internal battery (ground, 12 hrs) | Lithium-ion batteries (not specified in detail) | Zond Aero's power flexibility makes it more versatile for mixed aerial and terrestrial operations. |
| Data Format | SEGY format, with geotagging | Not specified | Zond Aero provides standard geophysical data format, ensuring compatibility with various analysis tools. |
| Software Features | Prism 2 for processing, includes Wi-Fi for ground surveys | Real-time target warning, intelligent detection, expert mode | UAV-mounted GPR emphasizes advanced real-time capabilities and user-friendly interface, enhancing usability. |
| Operating Speed (UAV) | Not specified | Flight altitude 3–5 m, speed 0–2 m/s | UAV-mounted GPR provides detailed operating specifications for UAV integration. |
| Wave Speed in Media | 173.21 mm/ns (as per calculator) | Not specified | Zond Aero's detailed parameters align well with sandy soil/dry applications. |
| Footprint at Depth | 0.42 m (as per calculator) | Not explicitly defined | Zond Aero provides calculable and adjustable footprint size, making it more adaptable to target depths. |
| Coverage Area (per hour) | Up to 3x faster due to higher scan rate and sampling points | Slower due to reduced scan rate and sampling points | Zond Aero is more suitable for surveying large areas quickly, meeting requirements for efficiency. |
| Price | €43,402 for full package, including software and support | €83,200 for basic setup | Zond Aero offers better value for its flexibility and additional tools like Prism 2. |
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Zond Aero 1000 NG:
- Ideal for projects requiring large coverage areas and detailed subsurface mapping.
- Superior adaptability for both aerial and terrestrial applications.
- Offers a comprehensive package of software and hardware integration at a reasonable price compared to the UAV-mounted system.
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UAV-mounted 2D GPR:
- Focused on cost-effective aerial applications with simpler hardware.
- Advanced real-time target recognition and usability but lacks the flexibility of Zond Aero for varied applications.
- For Comprehensive Projects (Aerial + Terrestrial): Zond Aero 1000 NG is the preferred choice due to its versatility, superior specifications, and cost-effective total package.
- For UAV-Only Aerial Surveys: UAV-mounted 2D GPR is suitable for smaller-scale, high-resolution tasks with streamlined UAV integration.