An autonomous marking apparatus comprising a propulsion system, a location sensor, a payload assembly, one or more marking sensors, a transceiver, a data store, and a processor. The location sensor is arranged to determine the location of the apparatus. The payload assembly is arranged to carry a payload of marking material. The one or more marking sensors are arranged to scan an area in proximity to the apparatus. The transceiver is arranged to exchange data with a remote server via a data network. The data store is arranged to store a portion of the data. The processor is arranged to receive data from the location sensor, the one or more marking sensors, and from the transceiver. The processor is also arranged to send data to the transceiver and control the delivery of the payload at the location of the apparatus.

An excavator system for locating an underground utility line, the system comprising: a signal transmitter installed on the excavator; a signal receiver installed on the excavator; a monitor; and a control unit, in communication with the receiver, wherein the control unit is adapted (a) to analyze a vicinity of the receiver from the underground utility line by an intensity of a received signal by the receiver, and (b) to display indication of the vicinity on the monitor.

Method for semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting for hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals. In the method, electromagnetic receivers are deployed on the Earth's surface over a subsurface region (71). An airborne electromagnetic transmitter is flown over the receivers (72) and the receivers record at least one component of electromagnetic field data excited by the transmitter (73). The recorded electromagnetic data are analyzed for subsurface resistivity (74), and the resistivity is interpreted for evidence of hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals (75). Compared to traditional fully airborne surveys, the advantages of the method include better signal-to-noise, and data for multiple source-receiver offsets.

Method for semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting for hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals. In the method, electromagnetic receivers are deployed on the Earth's surface over a subsurface region (71). An airborne electromagnetic transmitter is flown over the receivers (72) and the receivers record at least one component of electromagnetic field data excited by the transmitter (73). The recorded electromagnetic data are analyzed for subsurface resistivity (74), and the resistivity is interpreted for evidence of hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals (75). Compared to traditional fully airborne surveys, the advantages of the method include better signal-to-noise, and data for multiple source-receiver offsets.

A system for passive microwave remote sensing using at least one microwave radiometer includes a fixed body portion, the fixed body portion being configured to attach to a mobile platform, and a mobile body portion, the mobile body portion being configured for rotatably coupling with the fixed body portion for rotation about a rotation axis. The mobile body portion is configured for supporting the at least one microwave radiometer therein such that the at least one microwave radiometer rotates about the rotation axis when the mobile body portion is rotated about the rotation axis such that a polarization axis of the at least one radiometer is aligned with an earth axis. The fixed body portion includes a motor mechanism for effecting rotation of the mobile body portion such that the at least one microwave radiometer provides a vertical scanning below and above the mobile platform.

A system for passive microwave remote sensing using at least one microwave radiometer includes a fixed body portion, the fixed body portion being configured to attach to a mobile platform, and a mobile body portion, the mobile body portion being configured for rotatably coupling with the fixed body portion for rotation about a rotation axis. The mobile body portion is configured for supporting the at least one microwave radiometer therein such that the at least one microwave radiometer rotates about the rotation axis when the mobile body portion is rotated about the rotation axis such that a polarization axis of the at least one radiometer is aligned with an earth axis. The fixed body portion includes a motor mechanism for effecting rotation of the mobile body portion such that the at least one microwave radiometer provides a vertical scanning below and above the mobile platform.

Systems and methods are provided for determining and distinguishing buried objects using Artificial Intelligence (AI). In an exemplary embodiment, electromagnetic data related to underground utilities and communication systems is collected and provided to a Deep Learning model to build a training set. The Deep Learning model may be trained based on collected sets of Training Data, testing data, and/or user predefined classifiers. The Deep Learning model may use thresholds to determine if a set of data falls within a specific class. Classes may include gas, electric, water, cable, communications lines, or other buried utility and communication classes. Electromagnetic data collected may include multi-frequency measurements, phase measurements, signal strength measurements, and other related measurements. Data may be collected from locators, Sondes, transmitting and receiving antennas, inductive clamps, electrical clips, and satellite systems such as GPS, and other sources. Determined class data may organized and displayed to a user.

Systems and methods are provided for determining and distinguishing buried objects using Artificial Intelligence (AI). In an exemplary embodiment, electromagnetic data related to underground utilities and communication systems is collected and provided to a Deep Learning model to build a training set. The Deep Learning model may be trained based on collected sets of Training Data, testing data, and/or user predefined classifiers. The Deep Learning model may use thresholds to determine if a set of data falls within a specific class. Classes may include gas, electric, water, cable, communications lines, or other buried utility and communication classes. Electromagnetic data collected may include multi-frequency measurements, phase measurements, signal strength measurements, and other related measurements. Data may be collected from locators, Sondes, transmitting and receiving antennas, inductive clamps, electrical clips, and satellite systems such as GPS, and other sources. Determined class data may organized and displayed to a user.

A transmitter is part of a cable locating system for use in a region which contains at least first and second in-ground cables, each of which cables includes an electrically conductive component such that, when the first cable is driven at a locating signal frequency to emit a locating signal in an electromagnetic form, the locating signal is coupled to the second cable in a way which causes the second cable to generate a false locating signal in electromagnetic form. The transmitter generates the locating signal frequency for coupling onto the first cable and for transmitting a reference signal, which includes the locating signal frequency such that the reference signal includes a modulation envelope for comparison of the modulation envelope to the locating signal and to the false locating signal at a receiving location to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.

A transmitter is part of a cable locating system for use in a region which contains at least first and second in-ground cables, each of which cables includes an electrically conductive component such that, when the first cable is driven at a locating signal frequency to emit a locating signal in an electromagnetic form, the locating signal is coupled to the second cable in a way which causes the second cable to generate a false locating signal in electromagnetic form. The transmitter generates the locating signal frequency for coupling onto the first cable and for transmitting a reference signal, which includes the locating signal frequency such that the reference signal includes a modulation envelope for comparison of the modulation envelope to the locating signal and to the false locating signal at a receiving location to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.