Combining airborne electromagnetic data from alternate flight directions to improve data interpretability: the virtual symmetric array
Richard Stuart Smith, Michel C. Chouteau · 2004
Fixed-wing airborne electromagnetic (FWAEM) systems are asymmetric so the response will vary when the line direction reverses (even though the targets are symmetric). This can complicate interpretation. In a recent survey, each traverse line was flown in both line directions, allowing the data to be combined to give a “virtual symmetric array” (VSA) response. Images of the VSA data are easy to interpret, are free of flight direction artifacts, show good resolution, good trending, and improved signal to noise. Dip can also be inferred from these images. In cases when data cannot be collected in both line directions, an interpolated VSA image can be created using the reverse line direction data from adjacent lines.