Patent US 5,704,142

A data acquisition system for acquiring geological information from a subsurface includes a geologic imaging system that is used to survey the subsurface of a site or route. A geologic characterization unit may also be employed to enhance the geologic imaging data obtained by the geologic imaging system. The acquired data are processed to provide detailed geologic information for the subsurface. In one embodiment, a memory stores geologic filter data including geologic profile data for numerous types of known geology. A processor, cooperating with the memory and data acquisition unit, uses the geologic filter data to remove content from the acquired geologic imaging data corresponding to known geology, thereby providing for immediate recognition of unknown and suspect subsurface characteristics. In another embodiment, the memory stores excavation difficulty data associated with known types of geology. The processor associates a reflected electromagnetic signal received by the geologic imaging system with the excavation difficulty data to produce estimated excavation difficulty data for the subsurface. The geologic imaging system may include a ground penetrating radar system having a plurality of antennas oriented in an orthogonal relationship to provide three-dimensional imaging of a subsurface.