Trimble introduced the latest version of its Trimble 4D Control monitoring software that supports the IBIS-FM radar device, which is manufactured by the GeoRadar Division of Ingegneria Dei Sistemi (IDS).
IDS pioneered radar technologies for a variety of applications such as slope stability and structural monitoring in open pit mining.
The IBIS-FM radar device continuously scans in all-weather conditions and detects movements with sub-millimeter accuracy for distances up to 4 kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles). Due to its long-range capabilities combined with high resolution and fast scan time, the device provides reliable fast alarm responses. The addition of IBIS-FM support in Trimble 4D Control software 4.5 can trigger early warning detection of slope instability to improve safety for workers in open pit mines.
The opportunities in radar technology play a significant role in effective project safety management in monitoring operations involving highwalls, excavated faces and potentially unstable slopes, which create hazardous work environments. Radar technology can detect deformations on a monitored surface based on phase shifts along the line of sight. In this context, two radar images that are acquired from the same surface area are differenced in phase to form a radar interferogram, which in turn detects and assesses possible deformations.
“With the integrated support for the IBIS-FM radar device, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to improving safety for mining personnel. As we continue to add support for third-party sensors to our monitoring solutions, we are enabling our customers to better detect, automate and analyze information with a variety of tools to improve the safety and management of monitoring operations,” said Shawn Hilliard, business area director of Trimble’s Monitoring Solution.