Design and Characterization of a Ground Penetrating Magnetic Ranging System

This work presents the design and characterization of a novel ground-penetrating magnetic ranging system tailored for underground exploration and positioning. The system leverages AC magnetic fields generated by surface coils to enable precise ranging of buried objects. Since the magnetic field can easily penetrate most materials, its use is suitable for the challenging undergorund scenario, which typically includes heterogeneous materials such as soil, water, and rock. Key design aspects include the optimization of transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) coil parameters through meaningful simulations. Use of resonant coils was also investigated, since this method can significantly enhances signal-to-noise ratio and measurement accuracy. The system was subsequently realized and tested, demonstrating its capability to maintain robust signal detection while adhering to electromagnetic emission regulations, and the potential to perform reliable ranging and positioning of buried objects at distances up to 2 m. This work paves the way for efficient and accurate subsurface exploration, with many potential applications, including positioning of drilling drones and pollution detection in soil.