Lawrence B. Conyers
Hominid Footprint Model Used to Test Antenna Frequencies and Field Methods for the Laetoli Site
A footprint model was created in mud and covered in volcanic sand as a way to mimic conditions at the Laetoli, Tanzania site. Many antenna frequencies were tested with the buried prints uncovered, covered by plywood, and by a yoga mat. It was found that the yoga mat with the 2.6 GHz antennas produced the…
3 responses to “Hominid Footprint Model Used to Test Antenna Frequencies and Field Methods for the Laetoli Site”
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A very helpful practical intro to high-frequency issues along with the particularities of foot impression reflections. I’m curious if migration tuned not to the RDP but experimentally determined by the impression wall reflection characteristics (probably different for MALE and FEMALE) might have sharpened the response allowing for a thinner slice and then, maybe, giving a better chance and 2D imaging. A 10cm slice map it too thick. Its clear that some type of automated processing is key if there is a lot of ground to cover. Very nice work.
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thanks Tom. this dataset was not sliced. I had to pick the T-7 horizon and then export those depths to Surfer to produce the 3-D images. Slicing up these data was hopeless, as the stratigraphy is just too complicate. And migration also was no help, as my frequency filtering removed all the hyperbolas….
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Interesting article. I have to read it a couple of times. I’ve seen something like vertical bow tie in my data, but I have to check it now again, as I have got your explanation for the feature.
Regarding to the antenna, you mentioned “The 2.6 GHz antenna here produce energy with a maximum depth penetration of about 25-30 cm … ” and “ … footprints shallower than about 3 cm would be invisible.”
Here I have an opportunity to promote the antenna I made in my dissertation. It can theoretically get up to 4.7 times deeper than the currently used antennas – thus one could use higher frequency and get a higher resolution at the same depth range.
I have contacted GSSI a year ago but with no response so far. Could I ask you to mention my antenna to them, then they might become more interested.
The link to the dissertation is here https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/033e1035-da3a-44c5-8f9c-565abb7b02fe and the link to the pdf is below the picture.
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