DroneSCAT: A Drone-Borne and Low-Cost Microwave Scatterometer for Subsurface Imaging

Using low cost and commercial elements, we designed and realized a drone-borne microwave scatterometer in the 1-6 GHz range for subsurface imaging applications. The core of the instrument of a portable vector network analyzer associated to lightweight horn antennas produced using 3D printing. It is carried by DJI drones and accurate positioning is performed with the help of the free Centipede GNSS system. We validated our DroneSCAT instrument over a coastal parabolic sand dune, allowing the detection of buried paleosols down to 3 meters. We then tested it for archeological prospecting and detect a strong reflector buried 1 meter deep. The DroneSCAT instrument allows the detection of subsurface structures, with the benefit of a very agile system and without need for contact with the ground.