The project has three major objectives:  
1.To provide a step change in the depth penetration and spatial resolution of GPR used for surveys carried out from the ground surface. This will be achieved 
by increasing the frequency and dynamic range of the radar by researching and developing Stepped Frequency Continuous Wave (SFCW) techniques and ultra wide-band 
antennas whose performance is independent of ground characteristics.  
2.To prototype an innovative GPR-based, real-time obstacle detection system for steerable bore-heads of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) pipe 
and cable laying systems so that they can operate more safely below ground. This will require new antenna designs to be developed to provide a look-ahead capability 
and robust systems to be designed to protect against the hostile mechanical environment.  
3.To increase knowledge of the electrical behaviour of the ground, by means of in-situ measurements to enhance understanding of the sub-soil electrical 
environment and to provide information for scientifically based antenna design.   
The project will lead to practical solutions that can be implemented cost-effectively to provide an improved capability to locate buried infrastructure 
with accuracy and reliability. This will reduce the need for excavations in the highway, thus minimising direct and indirect costs, reducing the incidence 
of pollution resulting from traffic congestion and enhancing safety. 
            

The ORFEUS: Optimised Radar to Finder Every Utility in the Street project uses stepped frequency transmitters and high dynamic range narrow band receivers 
coupled to novel antennas to address the performance limitation of surface scanning radars imposed by pulse techniques.  It also seeks to improve the utilisation 
of horizontal directional drilling by implementing collision avoidance radar (based upon conventional pulse technology) with sideways and look-ahead 
capabilities to detect objects in the vicinity of the drill head.  Both are supported by a soils measurement programme to provide essential design information. 
A prototype surface radar has been produced which has undergone a series of field trials in a number of European countries, and has demonstrated a 20% improvement 
in depth penetration compared to systems based upon current state-of-the-art pulsed radars.  A prototype bore-head radar has also undergone a more limited 
set of trials to prove performance and functionality under operational conditions, and has demonstrated the practical feasibility of real-time obstacle 
detection.  These two achievements have fulfilled the most important objectives of ORFEUS, which is scheduled to be complete by the end of April 2010. 
            

See http://www.orfeus-project.eu/publication ...