Geology topics

Robert E. Bracken

Publications and source records attributed to Robert E. Bracken.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2022

Achieving sub-nanoTesla precision in multirotor UAV aeromagnetic surveys

An uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) multirotor aeromagnetic system using a 5-m sling load for a magnetic sensor system is described and characterized. Four magnetic surveys with identical flight lines were completed, at two nominal altitudes of 25 and 40 m. The surveys were used to assess the repeatability of data collected with the described UAV aeromagnetic system, and comparison with a ground survey was used to assess the precision. The 5-m sling is designed to reduce magnetic interference from the UAV. A magnetic compensation model was developed for this particular UAV aeromagnetic system. This custom compensation model reduces the noise in the collected data by a factor of five over the uncompensated data, and the 5-m sling further reduces the noise by an estimated factor of four over a similar system with a 3-m sling. The precision of the UAV aeromagnetic system was then estimated to be sub-nT, with 50% of the noise component <0.3 nT, and 90% <0.6 nT.

Journal of Applied Geophysics↗

USGS2006

Concepts and procedures required for successful reduction of tensor magnetic gradiometer data obtained from an unexploded ordnance detection demonstration at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona

On March 12, 2003, data were gathered at Yuma Proving Grounds, in Arizona, using a Tensor Magnetic Gradiometer System (TMGS). This report shows how these data were processed and explains concepts required for successful TMGS data reduction. Important concepts discussed include extreme attitudinal sensitivity of vector measurements, low attitudinal sensitivity of gradient measurements, leakage of the common-mode field into gradient measurements, consequences of thermal drift, and effects of field curvature. Spatial-data collection procedures and a spin-calibration method are addressed. Discussions of data-reduction procedures include tracking of axial data by mathematically matching transfer functions among the axes, derivation and application of calibration coefficients, calculation of sensor-pair gradients, thermal-drift corrections, and gradient collocation. For presentation, the magnetic tensor at each data station is converted to a scalar quantity, the I2 tensor invariant, which is easily found by calculating the determinant of the tensor. At important processing junctures, the determinants for all stations in the mapped area are shown in shaded relief map-view. Final processed results are compared to a mathematical model to show the validity of the assumptions made during processing and the reasonableness of the ultimate answer obtained.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2005

Calibrating a tensor magnetic gradiometer using spin data

Scalar magnetic data are often acquired to discern characteristics of geologic source materials and buried objects. It is evident that a great deal can be done with scalar data, but there are significant advantages to direct measurement of the magnetic gradient tensor in applications with nearby sources, such as unexploded ordnance (UXO). To explore these advantages, we adapted a prototype tensor magnetic gradiometer system (TMGS) and successfully implemented a data-reduction procedure. One of several critical reduction issues is the precise determination of a large group of calibration coefficients for the sensors and sensor array. To resolve these coefficients, we devised a spin calibration method, after similar methods of calibrating space-based magnetometers (Snare, 2001). The spin calibration procedure consists of three parts: (1) collecting data by slowly revolving the sensor array in the Earth?s magnetic field, (2) deriving a comprehensive set of coefficients from the spin data, and (3) applying the coefficients to the survey data. To show that the TMGS functions as a tensor gradiometer, we conducted an experimental survey that verified that the reduction procedure was effective (Bracken and Brown, in press). Therefore, because it was an integral part of the reduction, it can be concluded that the spin calibration was correctly formulated with acceptably small errors.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS2005

Reducing tensor magnetic gradiometer data for unexploded ordnance detection

We performed a survey to demonstrate the effectiveness of a prototype tensor magnetic gradiometer system (TMGS) for detection of buried unexploded ordnance (UXO). In order to achieve a useful result, we designed a data-reduction procedure that resulted in a realistic magnetic gradient tensor and devised a simple way of viewing complicated tensor data, not only to assess the validity of the final resulting tensor, but also to preview the data at interim stages of processing. The final processed map of the surveyed area clearly shows a sharp anomaly that peaks almost directly over the target UXO. This map agrees well with a modeled map derived from dipolar sources near the known target locations. From this agreement, it can be deduced that the reduction process is valid, making the prototype TMGS a foundation for development of future systems and processes.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS2004

FFTDC2: a one-dimensional Fourier transform with forward and inverse data conditioning for non-complex data

A subroutine (FFTDC2) coded in Fortran 77 is described, which performs a Fast Fourier Transform or Discrete Fourier Transform together with necessary conditioning steps of trend removal, extension, and windowing. The source code for the entire library of required subroutines is provided with the digital release of this report. But, there is only one required entry point, the subroutine call to FFTDC2; all the other subroutines are operationally transparent to the user. Complete instructions for use of FFTDC2.F (as well as for all the other subroutines) and some practical theoretical discussions are included as comments at the beginning of the source code. This subroutine is intended to be an efficient tool for the programmer in a variety of production-level signal-processing applications.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2004

The inverse of winnowing: a FORTRAN subroutine and discussion of unwinnowing discrete data

This report describes an unwinnowing algorithm that utilizes a discrete Fourier transform, and a resulting Fortran subroutine that winnows or unwinnows a 1-dimensional stream of discrete data; the source code is included. The unwinnowing algorithm effectively increases (by integral factors) the number of available data points while maintaining the original frequency spectrum of a data stream. This has utility when an increased data density is required together with an availability of higher order derivatives that honor the original data.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2002

Rationale and operational plan for a U.S. high-altitude magnetic survey

On August 8, 2002, twenty-one scientists from the federal, private and academic sectors met at a workshop in Denver, Co., to discuss the feasibility of collecting magnetic anomaly data on a Canberra aircraft (Figure 1). The need for this 1-day workshop arose because of an exciting and cost-effective opportunity to collect invaluable magnetic anomaly data during a Canberra mission over the U.S. in 2003 and 2004. High Altitude Mapping Missions (HAMM) is currently planning a mission to collect Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) imagery at an altitude of about 15 km and with a flight-line spacing of about 18 km over the conterminous U.S. and Alaska. The additional collection of total and vector magnetic field data would represent a secondary mission objective (i.e., a "piggy-back" magnetometer system). Because HAMM would fund the main flight costs of the mission, the geomagnetic community would obtain invaluable magnetic data at a nominal cost. These unique data would provide new insights on fundamental tectonic and thermal processes and give a new view of the structural and lithologic framework of the crust and possibly the upper mantle. This document highlights: (1) the reasons to conduct this national survey and (2) a preliminary operational plan to collect high-altitude magnetic data of a desired quality and for the expected resources. Although some operational plan issues remain to be resolved, the important conclusions of the workshop are that the Canberra is a very suitable platform to measure the magnetic field and that the planned mission will result in quality high-altitude magnetic data to greatly expand the utility of our national magnetic database.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1992