Microwave Snow Sounding for Trafficability Analysis 890020
A newly developed microwave snow sensor, snow fork, measures the dielectric properties of snow in the 500 to 1000 MHz frequency range. The relation between the dielectric and physical properties is used to calculate the density and free water content of snow. The instrument is portable and battery operated. In March 1988, field tests were conducted to compare the fork with conventional measuring devices for the analysis of 13 snow profiles. In general, the curves of snow layer properties based on snow fork and comparative measurements were similar in shape but the fork results produced a more detailed profile. There was some systematic error in density values. The fork was easy and fast to handle and operate on the field. After further development the snow fork can be a useful tool in collecting data of snow properties for trafficability analysis.
Citation: Ala-llomäki, J., Saarilahti, M., Toikka, M., and Hallikainen, M., "Microwave Snow Sounding for Trafficability Analysis," SAE Technical Paper 890020, 1989, https://doi.org/10.4271/890020. Download Citation
Author(s):
Jari Ala-llomäki, Martti Saarilahti, Martti Toikka, Martti Hallikainen
Affiliated:
Radio Lab., Helsinki University of Technology
Pages: 6
Event:
1989 Subzero Engineering Conditions Conference and Exposition
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
Subzero Engineering Conditions Conference Proceedings-P-220
Related Topics:
Sensors and actuators
Batteries
Water
Tools and equipment
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