A New Era in Subsurface Detection

In the complex and often invisible world beneath our feet, precision and clarity are paramount. From mapping critical urban utilities to understanding delicate ecological habitats, the ability to see underground accurately, non-invasively, and efficiently is a modern necessity. IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in this domain. With the launch ofStream DP, the company introduced a revolutionary multichannel Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) array solution that is fundamentally overturning the state-of-the-art in underground surveys.

Stream DP is not merely an incremental upgrade; it represents a leap forward in 3D utility mapping and feature detection. By combining a massive antenna array with groundbreaking new technology, it offers performance and depth capabilities previously unattainable. This post will explore the core technologies, key benefits, and versatile applications of Stream DP, demonstrating why it has become the preferred solution for professionals demanding the highest level of performance and productivity. 

The Technological Heart: Equalized Scrambled Technology (EsT)

At the core of Stream DP's revolutionary performance is the new, patented Equalized Scrambled Technology (EsT). This radical innovation from IDS GeoRadar provides unparalleled control over the GPR signal, directly addressing one of the most persistent challenges in subsurface investigation: the trade-off between depth penetration and data resolution.

How EsT Redefines GPR Performance

Traditionally, GPR systems faced a compromise. High-frequency signals could provide high-resolution images of shallow targets, but they attenuated quickly and couldn't penetrate deep. Low-frequency signals could reach greater depths, but at the cost of significantly lower resolution, making it difficult to distinguish small or closely spaced targets. EsT effectively mitigates this trade-off.

·          Signal Optimization: EsT optimizes the radiating potential of the antenna, ensuring superior noise rejection and the ability to capture a broad frequency range simultaneously.

·          Dynamic Range Extension: The technology equalizes shallow and deep reflections through a multi-gain boost. This process enhances the weaker signals returning from deeper targets without oversaturating the stronger signals from shallow ones, resulting in an extended dynamic range.

·          Unprecedented Clarity at Depth: The result is an extended depth range combined with ultra-high resolution. As Davide Pasculli, GPR System Engineer at IDS GeoRadar, notes, "Stream DP with EsT technology can reach the deeper target and offer exceptional underground clarity output." This innovation allows Stream DP to deliver clear, detailed 3D reconstructions of the subsurface, from the near-surface to depths unmatched by other solutions on the market.

This technological advantage makes Stream DP exceptionally well-suited for locating buried assets and features at significant depths, providing users with a complete and unambiguous picture of the underground environment.

Designed for Professionals: Key Features and Benefits

Stream DP was engineered from the ground up to maximize productivity, efficiency, and ease of use in the field. Its design addresses the practical challenges faced by surveyors, engineers, and technicians every day.

Revolutionary Productivity and Efficiency

Time on-site is a critical factor in any project. Stream DP is built to maximize data acquisition in a single pass, dramatically reducing the time required for comprehensive surveys.

·          Massive GPR Array: The system features a massive array of 30 channels in double polarization (19VV + 11HH). This dense data collection allows for the creation of an accurate and detailed 3D reconstruction of the underground utility network in just one scan.

·          Single-Operator Deployment: Despite its power, the system is designed for efficiency. One operator can assemble the entire system in less than five minutes.

·          Superior Portability: Stream DP is ergonomically designed for easy handling and transportation. It is lightweight, with no single part weighing more than 20kg, and boasts a compact size (116cm x 82cm) that allows it to fit into a standard vehicle.

Non-Stop Performance and Versatility

Fieldwork often involves long hours and varied terrain. Stream DP is built to perform continuously and adapt to different environments.

·          Continuous Power: The system features low power consumption (15W-19W) and utilizes hot-swap battery technology. This allows for non-stop surveying performance, as batteries can be changed without powering down the system.

·          Multi-Environment Configuration: Stream DP is a single solution for multiple scenarios. Its hardware is user-configurable for both rugged, uneven terrain and smooth asphalt surfaces, ensuring unparalleled versatility across different project sites.

Unmatched Data Quality and Positioning Accuracy

The value of GPR data is directly tied to its accuracy and reliability. Stream DP integrates advanced positioning technology to ensure the highest quality output.

·          Precise GPS Synchronization: Pulse-per-second (PPS) integration into the antenna supports precise synchronization with GPS. This ensures users achieve the most accurate positioning data possible, which is crucial for correctly aligning survey data and creating georeferenced maps.

·          Collaborative Data Integration: The onboard software is designed for modern workflows, allowing it to collate data collected by different positioning solutions into a single project. This facilitates seamless coverage of the underground, even when multiple teams or technologies are involved.

The Complete Software Ecosystem: From Field to Finish

Hardware is only half the story. Stream DP is fully integrated with a suite of advanced software solutions that streamline the entire workflow, from data collection and real-time diagnostics to post-processing and intelligent analysis.

·          uMap: This is the on-field software designed for easy and efficient radar data collection. It provides a user-friendly interface and gives operators real-time diagnostic status of the system, ensuring data is being collected correctly.

·          IQMaps: For post-processing, IQMaps offers a faster and smarter way to analyze GPR data. Its fast interface between the user and the data accelerates the interpretation process, allowing for quick generation of comprehensive deliverables.

·          AiMaps 2.0: Representing the next level of data interpretation, AiMaps 2.0 is a renewed system that leverages Artificial Intelligence. This straightforward, cloud-based solution for data processing and interpretation raises performance by automating and enhancing the analysis of complex datasets.

·          Remote Diagnostics: To maximize uptime and troubleshooting efficiency, Stream DP includes remote diagnostics functionality. This allows diagnostic data to be shared transparently via the cloud from the on-field device directly to a customer support desktop, enabling rapid problem-solving.

Case Study: A Groundbreaking Application in Wildlife Conservation

While designed for utility mapping, the power and precision of Stream DP have found applications in unexpected and vital fields. A compelling example is its use in the preservation of the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat, the world’s largest burrowing herbivore.

The Challenge: Mapping an Invisible Habitat

In a collaborative effort between the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), the Wombat Foundation, and Subsurface Mapping Solutions (SMS), a critical need was identified: to map the intricate, labyrinthine burrows of the wombats at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge in Australia. Understanding the structure and extent of these burrows is crucial for conservation efforts, but their subterranean nature makes them impossible to study without excavation, which is invasive and disruptive. GPR emerged as the ideal non-invasive solution.

The Solution: Stream DP in Action

SMS, a company that initially specialized in utility consulting, accepted the challenge. Using theStream DP, the team passed the GPR array over the grassy scrubland, emitting pulsating radio waves to delineate and detect the complex burrow network. The system's ability to provide high-resolution images at significant depths was essential.

"The exceptional performance of Stream DP positions it as a preferred solution for locating buried objects at significant depths, making it the best tool to map labyrinthine tunnels such as the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat burrows."

The data was then analyzed and post-processed using IQMaps. The project successfully generated a wealth of crucial data, including PDFs, video flythroughs, BricsCAD files, and tomography photos in ten-centimetre increments down to a depth of 2.5 meters. This detailed output provided the conservation team with an unprecedented understanding of the wombat habitat, all achieved without disturbing a single blade of grass above the burrows.

This case study perfectly exemplifies how advanced technology like Stream DP, powered by EsT, can be harnessed for critical conservation efforts, showcasing its versatility beyond its primary design purpose.

Conclusion: The Future of Subsurface Investigation is Here

IDS GeoRadar'sStream DPis more than just a new piece of equipment; it is a comprehensive solution that redefines what is possible in subsurface surveying. By overcoming the traditional limitations of GPR with its patented EsT technology, it delivers an unmatched combination of depth, resolution, and clarity.

Its design, focused on productivity, portability, and ease of use, empowers a single operator to achieve more in less time. Complemented by a powerful and intelligent software ecosystem, Stream DP streamlines the entire workflow from the field to the final deliverable. As demonstrated by its successful application in both complex urban utility mapping and sensitive ecological conservation, Stream DP is a versatile and powerful tool that provides professionals with the confidence to fully and accurately map the unseen world beneath us.

For further information on Stream DP and its capabilities, please visit the officialIDS GeoRadar product page.

Stream DP is part of the Stream family of advanced GPR solutions, which also includesStream T,Stream UP, andStream X.

© 2025 IDS GeoRadar. All information is based on publicly available data as of November 2025.

Reference

[1]https://idsgeoradar.com/products/ground-penetrating-radar/stream-dp https://idsgeoradar.com/products/ground-penetrating-radar/stream-dp