ERTdesign - Multisource module

The multisource module of ERTdesign (ERTdesign_ms) is a survey design tool for single and multi-transmitter deep resistivity/IP measurements, to be performed with Multisource devices (Multi-phase Technologies LLC).

Planning a survey with this tool requires a few simple steps.

  1. Define the survey area by importing a polyline or a polygon from a Google Earth TM KMZ/KML file or by using interface commands to specify a layout.
  2. Specify the total number of boxes to be used and/or the box electrode geometry.
  3. Set the number of transmitting dipoles to be combined in the two directions.
  4. If needed, use the advanced options to configure any additional parameters, such as user-defined transmitter combinations or adding reciprocal measurements or other.

On the basis of the user defined configuration, the tool automatically derives the layout of the boxes and the sequence of multisource measurements to be acquired. Interactive plots and tables allow to easily monitor the main survey parameters:

  • depth of investigation and maximum sensitivity for all combinations of (multi)TX/RX.
  • Expected Vmn signal at the receivers by setting the user-defined background resistivity (ohm m) of the site and the input current intensity (mA) at transmitters.
  • Geometric factors for n-poles.
  • Automatic alerts in case of low Vmn potentials or risk of overload at receivers.

The set of generated Multisource boxes can be exported to KML file, displayed on Google Earth TM, modified to take into account for any restrictions on the arrangement of the sensors, imported back into ERTdesign_ms to allow for re-evaluation. Generated placeholders, divided by type (Multisource boxes, electrodes, survey area) can be transferred to data-loggers of the most common GPS devices and used for stakeout activities on site. ERTdesign_ms is compatible with the ViewLab3D and ERTLab64 softwares for modeling, inversion and visualization of 3D ERT multisource measurements: the project can be exported to DATA file and used on advanced modeling tasks for complex topography and three-dimensional distributions of subsoil resistivity and chargeability.

The project is exportable to configuration file format (CNFG) to be loaded on the Multisource controller software to acquire field data.