Ultrasound-based 3D-coordinate measuring system for localization of findings in paleo-archacological excavations

Task performed at paleo-archaeological excavations are still carried out mainly manually; no automatic technology is employed and data registration is also hand-made. This paper presents a new device for automatic 3D co-ordinates estimation and object contour painting specially designed for paleo-archaeological excavations. This device is based on ultrasounds and estimates 3D positions by measuring times of flight (ToF) of ultrasonic waves. Once the system has measured these ToF, a trilateration algorithm calculates the position of the object of interest. This device has a precision of 5 mm and a resolution of mm and avoids human errors since the position is calculated automatically, and makes easier the data registration process, since it is ready to be connected to other systems via RS-232 or TCP/IP.