To continuously advance the R&D of universal geological disaster monitoring equipment and the trial demonstration of cutting-edge technologies, and to further enhance technical disaster prevention capabilities for geological disasters, the China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring (Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources), in accordance with the arrangements of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Geological Survey, has promoted the trial demonstration of new technologies and methods on the basis of existing R&D experiments on universal monitoring equipment, and organized field trials in 2021.

For this field trial, the China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring (Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources) organized experts to strictly review the trial application materials submitted by applicants nationwide. South Surveying & Mapping, with its excellent independent R&D capability, rich case experience, and strong large-scale production capacity, stood out from numerous applicants and was shortlisted for this trial demonstration.

The focus of the 2021 field trials of universal geological disaster monitoring equipment is to promote the trial demonstration of new technologies and methods. On the basis of complying with the "Technical Requirements for Geological Disaster Monitoring Communications" and the "Technical Guide for Geological Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning Combining Professional and Mass Monitoring (Trial)," it actively promotes the demonstration application of new technologies and methods such as non-contact, self-organizing networks, and satellite communications.

In this field trial demonstration, relying on its strong R&D capabilities and in accordance with the characteristics of geological disaster monitoring equipment—high reliability, low cost, low power consumption, and easy maintenance—South Surveying & Mapping developed a series of universal monitoring devices. The core technologies are introduced below:

Universal GNSS Monitoring Technology Based on Front-End Self-Organizing Networks

01. The characteristics of geological disaster monitoring require monitoring equipment to address the shortcomings of single-mode communication

Geological disaster monitoring projects are life-saving projects, with high standards and high requirements for the stability, real-time performance, and accuracy of monitoring data. Generally, GNSS monitoring receivers transmit observation data back to the platform via mobile communication signals for calculation, thereby enabling data analysis and early warning. This method greatly ensures the effectiveness of monitoring. However, this method has the following shortcomings:

(1) At hidden danger points with unstable signals, the quality of GNSS observation data transmitted back declines, leading to distorted calculations or even failure to obtain results;

(2) Disasters are often accompanied by temporary interruptions of mobile communication signals. Relying on mobile data single-mode communication has shortcomings when disasters occur;

(3) It cannot directly realize the front-end self-organizing network alarm function.

02. South Surveying & Mapping develops a self-organizing network universal GNSS receiver to solve core challenges

Starting from specific application needs, South Surveying & Mapping pioneered the industry by developing a self-organizing network universal GNSS receiver. The self-organizing network universal GNSS receiver has two communication links at the same time, namely the commonly used 4G transmission method and the on-site networking transmission method, realizing dual-mode communication.

The self-organizing network universal GNSS receiver has the following obvious technical advantages:

(1) Dual-mode communication with autonomous switching: The integrated application of self-organizing network communication technology and 4G communication technology solves the shortcomings of single-mode communication; the two communication methods can switch autonomously and serve as backups for each other, improving transmission reliability. At the same time, the time-division networking of the self-organizing network ensures the low power consumption of the monitoring receiver.

(2) Front-end self-organizing network: The networking distance can reach 8 km, meeting the networking needs of multiple monitoring stations and reference stations within a single or adjacent hidden danger point, sharing the reference station network for transmission and greatly reducing communication costs.

(3) Edge computing: Front-end networking realizes the aggregation of front-end data, which is the prerequisite for front-end edge computing. It effectively avoids the data packet loss problem of 4G network transmission and greatly improves the quality of data calculation.

(4) Emergency communication support: GNSS raw data is large and cannot be integrated into emergency communication means such as BeiDou short messages for transmission. Through front-end self-organizing network + edge computing technology, calculations can be completed on site, and the result data can be transmitted back to the back-end server or monitoring application platform via BeiDou short messages, solving the shortcoming that large volumes of GNSS observation data cannot be transmitted via BeiDou short messages.

Non-Contact Monitoring—Intelligent Measuring Robot Technology

Another core technology applied in this field pilot is the NTS-591 intelligent measuring robot independently developed by South Surveying & Mapping. The NTS-591 intelligent measuring robot embodies the crystallization of South Surveying & Mapping's years of optical, mechanical, and electronic technology, with a fully independent design. It has high-precision angle and distance measurement capabilities, and is equipped with an automatic aiming system and high-precision servo motor. The automatic aiming ATR accuracy can reach 1 second, with a search range of 600 meters. Paired with automated control software, it can realize single-person surveying operations and automated unattended monitoring operations.

This field trial uses a collapse body as the demonstration application scenario. The intelligent measuring robot technology enables the robot to be set up in a stable area outside the collapse body, with passive prisms installed on each dangerous rock mass of the collapse body, realizing the collection of three-dimensional coordinates of the prisms on the dangerous rock masses. The stability of the dangerous rocks is judged through changes in the three-dimensional coordinates. This is the introduction of a completely new method for collapse monitoring, with the following obvious technical advantages.

(1) From point to surface: It can achieve automatic point scanning, automatic measurement, and intelligent output of results in three-dimensional coordinates from point to surface, balancing the data characteristics and integrity of collapse body monitoring;

(2) No operation and maintenance costs or operation and maintenance safety issues: Only passive reflective prisms need to be installed on the dangerous rock masses; one-time installation, maintenance-free for life.

(3) Measurement results are displayed intuitively, with millimeter-level accuracy.

Because the intelligent measuring robot has advantages such as one host supporting multiple monitoring points, non-contact measurement, wide application range, and easy maintenance, it will play a greater role in monitoring contents such as surface displacement monitoring and cracks in the future.

In addition, in this field trial demonstration project of monitoring equipment, South also installed 5 surface crack monitors (NF-DLF), 5 ground tilt monitors (NF-QX01), 5 piezoelectric rain gauges (NF-YDRA), 5 mud level monitors (NF-RLG001), and 5 sound and light alarms (NF-BJ), totaling 36 sets of equipment. Since the equipment was put into trial use, it has operated stably and has been recognized by the China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring (Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources).

Core Product Display

01. Self-Organizing Network Universal GNSS Receiver (MR1)

●Dual-mode communication of self-organizing network and mobile communication: A highly reliable data transmission mode, making data transmission and operation and maintenance more stable and convenient.

●High integration: Integrated RTU, built-in eSIM card, multi-source data fusion, achieving a highly integrated host.

●Heartbeat probe: Receiver remote wake-up mechanism, ensuring receiver online rate.

●Adaptive variable-frequency monitoring: Adaptively adjusts reporting frequency and monitoring mode according to displacement changes.

●Dual anti-theft: Unique physical encryption lock and high-precision electronic fence function, ensuring the safety of long-term field monitoring.

●Easy maintenance: IoT platform management, configuration, and maintenance; installation and commissioning can be completed without on-site operations.

●Multi-scenario application: The device supports multiple general interfaces, communication protocols, and multiple data centers.

02. Intelligent Measuring Robot (NTS-591)

●Extensive data communication interfaces: Supports Internet and cloud platform access, efficient transmission, and intelligent interconnection.

●Highly extensible development kit: Customized function development for different scenarios, realizing rich APP application expansion.

●PS super search: 360° automatic prism search, high speed and accurate.

●ATR automatic aiming: Automatically aims at the prism center, unaffected by clouds, fog, or night, with automatic aiming accuracy up to 1″.

●Automated monitoring: Paired with the South SMOS monitoring platform or third-party platforms to achieve 7×24-hour all-weather monitoring and early warning.

03. Ground Tilt Monitor (NF-QX01)

●Highly integrated design, with built-in sensors such as inclinometer and accelerometer, efficient multi-module collaboration, and smart connectivity.

●Self-powered design: Strong endurance, one-time installation, 5 years maintenance-free, saving worry and effort.

●Support for multiple monitoring modes, low power consumption: Supports multiple working modes (self-reporting, query, compatible, etc.), minimizing power consumption and making data reporting more timely and reliable.

●Multi-center support: The device supports sending data containing different login information and different protocol formats to 3 or more addresses.

●Easy maintenance: IoT platform management, configuration, and maintenance; installation and commissioning can be completed without on-site operations.

04. Surface Crack Monitor (NF-DLF)

●Adopts integrated structural design and fully sealed structure, with overall protection rating reaching IP67, ensuring the reliability of equipment operation in the field.

●The product adopts high-performance industrial-grade communication processors and industrial-grade wireless modules, with an embedded real-time operating system as the software support platform.

●Equipped with NB-IoT, LoRa, and 4G wireless network functions, and also has multiple interfaces to meet multi-scenario application needs.

●Collects multiple monitoring elements, and can simultaneously collect parameters such as crack displacement, three-axis inclination, vibration frequency, power supply voltage, and ambient temperature, greatly increasing the relevance of data collection and facilitating subsequent data analysis.

●Triggerable collection: When cracks or vibrations occur in the sensor, it can immediately collect and send additional reports.

*For more detailed product information, please contact local branches of South Surveying & Mapping or call the customer service hotline: 4007000700

The national promotion of natural disaster prevention brings new demands and challenges to geological disaster monitoring. On this journey of technological transformation in the new era, South Surveying & Mapping has already taken an important step. It can be foreseen that in the future, South will focus precisely on improving the capability level of geological disaster monitoring and early warning technology and equipment, and build a technological innovation highland for the R&D of universal instruments and equipment for geological disaster monitoring and early warning!

South Surveying & Mapping geological disaster monitoring safeguards peace