case study

CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
case study
SENSYS and Juniper Systems Partner to Discover the
World Beneath Our Feet
There is a hidden world lying beneath our feet. Artefacts from past
civilisations often lie undisturbed and unknown in the ground below
us. In addition, military history, military training and current conflicts
have left a host of unexploded ordnance (UXO) behind.
SENSYS Sensorik & Systemtechnologie GmbH offers sensitive survey
equipment for UXO, archaeological and scientific applications
beneath the surface of the ground and water. These systems are
tailored to customers’ needs and durably designed for use in the field
to help operators clearly identify detected objects for clearance.
To help field operators get the most accurate and up-to-date
readings, SENSYS recognised that it needed to upgrade its data
logging devices. While researching solutions, the company learned
of Juniper Systems and its handheld devices that were faster than
the products currently used by SENSYS. Juniper’s rugged field
computers also had a reputation for being highly reliable and
making the reading of data easier.
Juniper Systems’ rugged data collectors are designed to
perform reliably in the harshest environments.
S IT UATI O N
More than 1.9 million tons of bombs and ammunitions were dropped
over Germany alone during World War II. Despite huge efforts to clear
this ordnance after the war, thousands of those UXOs remained buried
and undetonated, sometimes several metres deep, even to the present
day. Unexploded ordnance is a problem that plagues most of the world,
especially those countries heavily involved in military conflicts throughout
history, including those in Europe, Russia, the South Pacific, and the
African continent, to name a few. In fact, in 2008, construction at one of
the many London Olympic sites had to be halted due to the discovery
of a 1,000 kg UXO. A survey found that the site possibly contained as
many as 200 devices (Telegraph). For those nations that have not seen
significant conflict, military training and military ranges also leave behind
UXOs. In the United States alone, millions of acres of former munitions
ranges—including testing and munition burial grounds—have been
transferred from the military to other civilian and non-military purposes,
leaving behind significant quantities of UXOs (U.S. EPA).
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com
CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
“Fatalities and severe injuries have resulted from citizens [who are]
accidentally exposed to military munitions or from people deliberately
removing military munitions for souvenirs or other use”, (U.S. EPA).
UXO can detonate for a variety of reasons. For example, in the
case of undetonated air drop bombs, the fuses are highly unstable.
“This bomb has lain for 60 to 70 years in the ground, sleeping, and
because of corrosion and aging, the fuse will break one day,
and then this bomb just detonates”, said Wolfgang Suess, Sales
Manager at SENSYS.
This can be a serious issue when it comes to construction or excavation
projects, among other applications. Vibration from large equipment
and digging operations can potentially set off UXO in the ground
below, triggering the long-dormant object to detonate. In addition,
these operations can also disturb undiscovered archaeological
sites and artefacts that need to be properly identified, handled and
removed before excavation or construction projects can proceed.
SENSYS’ systems are designed to scope areas to detect objects
for clearance prior to the start of excavating. SENSYS offers several
products and services to assist with clearing these objects; for
example, the SBL10 Iron Locator is designed to detect iron objects
in the ground. It is a very compact, handheld system that needs no
assembly and is intuitive to use. This system’s probes can detect objects
buried between 5 and 6 metres deep. In addition, SENSYS offers pushcart systems like the 5-channel MAGNETO® MXPDA that can help
detect iron objects in small- and medium-sized areas. SENSYS’ EMD2 is
a highly-sensitive electromagnetic detection system used for mid-sized
area electromagnetic surveys to detect metals in the ground.
SENSYS has historically designed every component of its systems,
including the device that configured systems, displayed
information during survey, and stored measurement data. The
company’s original data logger was the DLM98—a very simple,
yet robust tool that allowed the capture of detection readings.
Although suitable for outdoor applications, it offered very low
internal memory, had no graphic display, and used its own
operating system, which was not Windows-based. It became
clear that an upgraded device was needed to improve operator
usability and incorporate the latest technology.
SENSYS’ SBL10 Iron Locator is used with Juniper
Systems’ Archer 2 rugged handheld to search for UXO
underground.
SENSYS’ SBL10 Iron Locator pairs with Juniper Systems’
Archer 2 rugged handheld to provide superior data
collection in the field.
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com
CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
Commented Suess, “The things we could do were very limited.
We could not integrate GPS or Bluetooth® connectivity. Users were
asking for something more flexible and something more modular”.
C H A LLE N G E S
The company tried several different brands of handheld
computers, personal assistant devices, and tablets, but did not find
them to be suitable for its applications. The products were too slow
and too small, hindering usability.
“We were looking for devices that were faster, with a wider display,
and without any failures. We wanted something which could run
through the whole day”, says Suess.
“We were looking for
devices that were faster,
with a wider display, and
without any failures. We
wanted something which
could run through the
whole day”.
- Wolfgang Suess,
Sales Manager
SENSYS
In addition, it was critical that any potential handheld operating
device have a low magnetic field. Objects made of iron will influence
the earth’s magnetic fields in a survey area, which help SENSYS’
systems to identify UXOs. However, anything else that has a magnetic
field, such as a car, power station or even a handheld operating
device, can disturb the reading, which was an unacceptable risk. If
the handheld computer’s magnetic field was too strong or broad,
readings in the field could not be accurately obtained.
“We are always looking for devices that don’t influence our
measurement system”, says Suess.
S O LU TI O N
Juniper Systems’ rugged handheld computers were the solution
that SENSYS was seeking. These data collectors provide the
computing power to operate geospatial software, long battery
life for a full day’s work, and are fully rugged to withstand harsh
conditions in the field.
Two products came to the attention of SENSYS when it was looking
to upgrade: Juniper Systems’ Mesa ® Rugged Notepad and the
Archer 2™ rugged data collector.
SENSYS began pilot programs with the Mesa Rugged Notepad and
after successful usage, implemented it into its MXPDA and EMD2
pushcart survey systems. The Mesa is known for its extra-large,
This close-up view illustrates the detailed nature of
the data that can be collected on the Mesa Rugged
Notepad as magnetometry readings are taken.
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com
CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
5.7-inch touchscreen display and rugged design that can hold
up to the elements and rough conditions (Rugged PC Review). In
addition, it offers a battery life that lasts up to 16 hours and is fully
waterproof and dustproof, earning it an IP67 rating. It is also tested
to MIL-STD-810G for water, humidity, sand and dust, vibration,
altitude, shock and temperature.
“What we like is the Mesa’s reliability and durability, the excellent
display that can be easily read even in bright sunlight, and its longlasting battery”, says Suess. Critically important is the fact that the
Mesa offers a low magnetic signature, so it does not significantly
interfere with survey readings.
For the MAGNETO MXPDA, the Mesa serves as the control unit
for the measurement system. It displays and saves the data as
measured tracks on an SD memory card. In addition, through
digital GPS (DGPS), it can also geographically reference all
measurement points with high accuracy. With the EMD2 system,
the Mesa offers similar data logging and DGPS functionality.
SENSYS’ 5-channel MAGNETO MXPDA detects iron in
objects buried underground. The readings are collected
by Juniper Systems’ Mesa Rugged Notepad or Archer 2
rugged handheld computers.
The Mesa worked so well that SENSYS decided to replace its DLM98
handheld data logger on the Iron Locator SBL10 with Juniper
Systems’ Archer 2. The rugged and durable Archer 2 handles
extreme temperatures and is water-resistant for use in inclement
conditions (Rugged PC Review). When connected to the SBL10,
the Archer 2 records all data readings, creates projects and
measurement campaigns, and displays the readings as a graph.
Juniper Systems’ rugged computers also offered SENSYS something
that they did not have before: a Microsoft ® Windows operating
system and wireless capabilities via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ®. Both
devices feature Windows Embedded Handheld operating system
and are Bluetooth-enabled.
Juniper Systems’ Archer 2 Rugged Handheld
For example, the Archer 2 can be connected to SENSYS’ SBL10 via
Bluetooth or USB cable. The Bluetooth connection allows operators to put
the modular-sized Archer 2 in a pocket or bag for easy carrying, and can
reduce the clutter of cables and connectors, which can also be easily
lost. However, if surveying takes place in an area that makes wireless
connection difficult, a cable can still be used for the connection.
ARCHER 2 FEATURES:
Beyond increased functionality and usability, SENSYS has also been
• Numeric keypad
• Ultra-bright, IllumiView™ display
• 20+ hour battery life
• IP68 waterproof & dustproof
• Reliable GNSS
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com
CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
very pleased with Juniper Systems’ customer service. If something
does not work properly, SENSYS wants to get their customers and
systems functional again within 24 hours. Juniper Systems has
provided the technical support that SENSYS requires to get the
products connected and usable again, reducing long downtime.
“If we ever have an issue, Juniper Systems addresses it quickly”,
Suess relates.
RESULTS
The use of the Mesa and Archer 2 models has proven to be a success
for SENSYS, and customers are seeing the benefits.
In fact, after only a few hours of training, one operator was able to take
a system into the field and detect an undetonated air drop bomb 4.5
metres below the surface. This means that SENSYS’ magnetometer and
sensor products used together with Juniper Systems’ rugged handheld
computers create highly functional solutions that are extremely intuitive
to use and technologically state-of-the-art.
Because of the success from integrating the Mesa and Archer
2 devices, SENSYS is looking forward to pairing other rugged
computers from Juniper Systems with more of its survey products.
SENSYS is confident that Juniper Systems’ continued improvement
of GPS capabilities and image capture in its devices will add more
functionality when paired with SENSYS’ systems.
Juniper Systems’ Mesa Rugged Notepad
MESA RUGGED NOTEPAD FEATURES:
• Bright, 5.7-inch display
• IP67 waterproof & dustproof
• 16-hour battery life
• Reliable GNSS
“We are quite convinced of their products. Juniper Systems’ rugged
computers are an essential part of our whole system”, says Suess. “We
still see more applications with their products in the future. We can just
combine more and more tasks into one device, which I think is more
convenient for customers”.
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
ABOUT SENSYS GmbH
SENSYS Sensorik & Systemtechnologie GmbH is a leading provider
of magnetometry and electromagnetic ground survey systems and
components. It offers numerous products and services to assist with
underground or underwater surveying, including area and borehole
magnetometers, time domain electromagnetics, sensors, and related
software and applications. Its equipment is widely used throughout
Europe and in Africa, Australia, Canada, the United States, Russia and
Southeast Asia. http://www.sensys.de
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com
CUSTOMER STORY
January 2015
A B O U T J U N I P E R S YS TE M S LI M ITE D
Founded in 1993, Juniper Systems has become a world leader in
the design and manufacture of ultra-rugged handheld computers
and intuitive field computing solutions. Based out of Utah, USA, and
Birmingham, UK, Juniper Systems’ computers are built for use in
extreme environments in the geomatics, field engineering, energy,
public works, natural resources, agriculture, industrial, and military
industries, among others. www.junipersys.com
REFERENCES
Rugged PC Review (2010). Juniper Archer Field PC; Brilliantly Designed Ultra-Rugged PDA. Retrieved
November 15, 2014, http://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_handhelds_juniper_archer_full.html.
Rugged PC Review (2011). Juniper Mesa Geo. Retrieved November 15, 2014, http://www.ruggedpcreview.
com/3_handhelds_juniper_mesa_full.html.
Telegraph (2008). New Map Reveals Locations of Unexploded World War II Bombs. Retrieved November 17,
2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2391450/New-map-reveals-locations-of-unexplodedWorld-War-Two-bombs.html.
U.S. EPA (N/A). Military Munitions/Unexploded Ordnance. Retrieved November 16, 2014, http://www2.epa.
gov/fedfac/military-munitionsunexploded-ordnance.
MKTG0005
Juniper Systems, Inc. Phone: 435.753.1881 Email: [email protected]
Juniper Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 (0) 1527 870773 Email: [email protected]
www.junipersys.com