Case Study: University of Pavia achieves continuous, accurate, low-cost avalanche forecasting with Keysight FieldFox

Going Against the Pack An Innovative Way to Forecast Avalanches in the Alps

The University of Pavia needed a way to make timely, accurate and continuous snowpack measurements for avalanche forecasting when traditional in‑situ snow‑pit excavations were too dangerous or impractical. To meet this challenge the university developed the SNOWAVE dual‑receiver radar and selected Keysight — using Keysight’s FieldFox portable network analyzer as the primary measurement tool — for reliable field measurements in harsh alpine conditions.

Integrated with the SNOWAVE FMCW radar, Keysight’s FieldFox enabled nondestructive, continuous measurement of snow depth, density and liquid‑water content; the system was validated against manual excavations and demonstrated at altitudes up to 3,000 meters. Keysight’s solution delivered a lower‑cost, inherently safe and accurate monitoring capability that detects internal snowpack interfaces, supports continuous data collection in any weather, and substantially improves avalanche‑forecasting tools.

University of Pavia