Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 332 replies
  • Subscribers 321 subscribers
  • Views 44803 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Archaeology Resistivity Meter

kltm

Hi I'm looking for ideas on an update to a resistivity meter for archaeology. The only published designs for diy were in 2 magazines. One was published in 1997 and the other in 2003. I have copies of both articles available. The reason behind this is the current high cost of available equipment, usually well beyond the reach of most archaeological groups. I've attached a basic block diagram. In the first magazine article the meter is very basic. It relied on the operators to write down the reading given as the survey was taken. Given that a normal survey grid is 20m x 20m and 1 reading is taken on every sq mtr there would be 400 readings to write down and then input into a program used to interpret the results. The later article is really an update to the first where a PIC has been added to record the readings. This again is prone to error, because eadings are taken manually by pressing a button.

I'm sure given the advances in electronics there must be better ways. 

 

 

 

image

Parents

  • Hi all, I'm new to the site but I've been very interested to read through this discussion. Is progress still being made on this project?

  • in reply to pdurdin

    On August 25th 2020, after doing a lot of work,  I posted this:

     

    ...........

    I've stalled on this waiting for feedback. That's not intended to apply pressure - I understand that people have things to do.

     

    Since the next bit of work (for me) would be to do the board layout, which has no function other than to be an ERM, I'm not going to start it unless

    I get the feeling that there is a good chance of something useful coming out of it.

     

    There will be a bit more stalling, (on my part) because I have a RoadTest to do.

     

    No feedback yet, so I would say that no progress is apparent.

     

    MK

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Thanks for the response! I know very little about electronics, so I'm not sure I can offer any of the sort of feedback you need.

     

    I'm an archaeologist by profession now and regularly undertake geophysical surveys, but I used to be a software developer. Over the last few weeks (following my first read of this discussion) I've developed an Android app that would handle all the data storage and display for an instrument like this, intending to communicate with the meter via BLE. This ought to remove many complexities from the meter (e.g. with this there is zero need for GPS, wifi, display screen, buttons etc).

     

    But I lack the knowledge, experience and equipment to build the meter side of the combination. So I'd be very keen to work with someone to get a functional instrument going.

Reply
  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Thanks for the response! I know very little about electronics, so I'm not sure I can offer any of the sort of feedback you need.

     

    I'm an archaeologist by profession now and regularly undertake geophysical surveys, but I used to be a software developer. Over the last few weeks (following my first read of this discussion) I've developed an Android app that would handle all the data storage and display for an instrument like this, intending to communicate with the meter via BLE. This ought to remove many complexities from the meter (e.g. with this there is zero need for GPS, wifi, display screen, buttons etc).

     

    But I lack the knowledge, experience and equipment to build the meter side of the combination. So I'd be very keen to work with someone to get a functional instrument going.

Children
  • in reply to pdurdin

    I rather think/hope that enthusiasm might pick up a bit when the Covid is better under control.

     

    I do electronics but not (usually) archaeology so from my point of view the project needs several keen electronics people and several keen archaeologists and the opprotunity to do field trials together.

     

    It would be fun if that could happen !

     

    MK

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    That would be excellent. At the moment I'm limited to working with simulated readings, and it's just not the same!

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Hi there!

     

    Wow! I'm very impressed about what you have achieved here in matter to create an ARP device. I'm not properly a geophysicist but I took some classes related with and since then, I've fallen in love with EM survey methods . Unfortunately I don't know about electronics or circuits so not much help i could bring you other than say you're awesome!. But what I think I can help with is giving some clues to address properly the problem of transmitter and receiver units, for example I've noticed (at least the few things of the thread I've read. It's too long!!) nobody has talked about electrode-ground contact as the main issue for transmitter or that the array device described by the OP is not the only one used to do a survey but it's the one that requires the largest S/N ratio, or something about telluric currents.

     

    Also I would like to help with field surveys, so, how much of development of the units have being achieved at this date? Is it possible to build something to test or i should go for the prototype mentioned by OP?

     

    Thanks to all of you.