Simultaneous line shift and source parameter inversion applied to a scalar magnetic survey for small unexploded ordnance

Continuing advances within unmanned aerial vehicles and scalar magnetic sensor technology are revolutionizing geophysical remote sensing. For perspective, examples of high resolution, low noise data presented in this study enabled detection accurate positioning human-made ferrous objects with a total mass 0.5 kg, from altitudes around above 2 m. However, these new possibilities come requirement higher fidelity, where good position estimates, particular, key to achieving quality sufficient for reliable interpretation inversion. Apart inherent instrument properties, typical factors that hamper estimation lag parallax errors. Lag errors arise time-stamping delays between the system reading, while stem imperfect recovery positions due decoupling and/or distancing head. The impact each error sources is typically similar partially or even completely inseparable. A number correctional techniques exist, based on large-scale correlations, collection specific additional data. We present survey adjustment method simultaneous inversion source parameters independent shifts lags pre-specified sections survey. particularly suited surveys path through space can be assumed well known, but itself may suffer relative measurement. approach modelling an existing signature requires no transformations, such as continuation two-dimensional plane, enforcing smoothness. amendment ideal scenarios behaviour thought processing efforts which objective source–parameter In study, we validate using simple point-dipole model adjust synthetic subsequently demonstrate it airborne small unexploded ordnance targets, hardware malfunction resulted unknown time-shifts readings unit output. procedure was carried out line data, single anomaly 155 mm shell, signatures several other targets kg. Subsequent corrected provided accuracy suitable purposes.