Real-time dual-parameter full-waveform inversion of GPR data based on robust deep learning

Abstract

SUMMARY Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is becoming an increasingly important tool for understanding the shallow electrical structures of the Earth and planets due to its adaptability to harsh detection environments, efficient data acquisition and accurate detection results. GPR full-waveform can simultaneously constrain the permittivity and resistivity of the medium, providing more comprehensive geophysical information and reducing the non-uniqueness of inversion. However, given the highly non-linear inverse problem and the massive data resulted from high temporal and spatial samplings, traditional full-waveform inversion algorithms are prohibitively costly. Inspired by Google's vision semantic segmentation system, we develop a robust deep learning-guided network that integrates geology and geophysics knowledge to support the real-time translation of zero-offset GPR data into dual-parameter electrical structures. We test our proposed network using synthetic data, which demonstrates that the algorithm can provide an accurate dual-parameter electrical model from a GPR sounding in milliseconds on a common laptop PC, exhibiting high robustness and adaptability to noise interference and extreme values of model parameters. We also apply our network to field data gathered for pollutant investigation in the United States. The resulting dual-parameter structure provides a more comprehensive and realistic depiction of subsurface electrical properties and reveals the migration and ageing of pollutants. Our algorithm's real-time and accurate advantages are expected to further unleash the potential of GPR technology and enable it to play a more significant role in earth and planetary exploration.