Building Maps Using UAS Data

Introduction

Why are proper cartographic skills essential in working with UAS data?

                Without proper cartographic skills, UAS data will be useless. If you do not include things like north arrows or scale bars, the data will not make sense to the reader. The data needs to contain sources and your name so people know the creator of the map

What are the fundamentals of turning either a drawing or an aerial image into a map?

                This includes properly scaling and locating your map. A locator map will help orientate the reader. A north arrow and scale bar are also essential to produce a good map.

What can spatial patterns of data tell the reader about UAS data? Provide several examples.

                Spatial patterns can help a reader determine manmade objects from natural objects. They can help determine agricultural patterns and determining quality of the crop and how to improve the yield. You can use it geology to distinguish elevation changes and where potential geologic units are. You could use spatial patterns to determine deforestation rates in logging areas.

What are the objectives of the lab?

                The goal of the lab is to learn how to use UAS data to make cartographically correct maps in GIS. The map must be correctly labeled and scaled so the data makes sense. The lab will show us how to transfer the UAS data into Arcmap and how to correctly process it.

Methods

What is the difference between a DSM and DEM? What is the difference between georeferenced mosaic and an orthorectified mosaic?

                DSM (digital surface model) will show elevation for any surface feature located in the mapping area. This includes trees, vegetation, cars, people, roads, etc… DEM (digital elevation model) only shows the elevation of the ground feature and will not include trees or buildings. http://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/5701/what-is-the-difference-between-dem-dsm-and-dtm

                Georeferenced mosaics are more accurate then orthorectified mosaics. Georeferenced mosaics reference set ground control points. These GCPs have been placed accurately and are recorded. The orthorectified points from the UAS itself. These points have greater vertical and horizontal inaccuracies.

What are the statistics? Why use them?

                The statistics give you the maximum and minimum and average elevations which is useful because it will give perspective and a better reference.

How did you hillshade the DSM? Delineate regions of the DSM, thinking of each region in terms of topography, relating that to the vegetation.

                You need to search for the hillshade tool and make sure you have spatial analysis on. You then select the input raster and give a name and location for the output raster. You can also set the azimuth and altitude of the sun. You then let the tool process the data and get a map like this. You can delineate areas where there is a tree line running alongside the track.  

Results

What types of patterns do you notice on the orthomosaics.

                There is a distinct tree line on the west side of the track. You can clearly see the manmade features, road and track.

What patterns are noted on the DSM? How do these patterns align with the DSM descriptive statistics? How do the DSM patterns align with patterns with the orthomosaic?

                You can clearly see the elevation but can’t see the tree line as distinctly until you use the hillshade tool. The statistics allow you to tell the elevation range and give you a better perspective. Together they both give a good picture of the area. You can tell the elevation is increasing to the northeast so if you were running on the track heading north, you be moving up hill.

Describe the regions you created by combining differences in topography and vegetation.

                I created areas for vegetation where the tree line lies. I also created a north and south section to distinguish the difference in elevation.

Errors in Data

                The elevation said 22 meters and the elevation in Eau Claire is about 240 meters. There are also parts of the map that are cut off that could be useful data.

Best Data

                The best data seems to fall in the middle and the poor quality data seems to be at the edges where there are abrupt cut offs.

Conclusion

           
    UAS data is useful because you can take imagery quicker and more efficient with higher quality resolution dependent on sensors. The data can be easy to transfer over to GIS. UAS data also high accuracy when used correctly. If one use a UAS with many GCPS you can created a very accurate map. If the GCPs were not accurately set the data could be inaccurate. The user must know which sensors are being used and how the pilot collected the data to make sure it is accurate. A UAS is limited by weather and light conditions and on board sensors. A user could combine UAS data with survey data to make accurate maps. They could combine both the ground and aerial views.

  

UAS Platform Consulting

Introduction

            There are many different unmanned aerial systems on the market of varying cost and performance. This report will outline three separate drones of different performance levels. Their performance and cost will be discussed to make drone selection easier.

           

Low Level Commercial Drone: DJI Phantom 4

The Phantom 4 is DJI’s newest drone. DJI is a leader in quadcopter drones that are easy to fly and good for aerial photography. Their drones are perfect for beginner drone pilots. The Phantom 4 is also reasonably priced at around $1,200.

The Phantom 4 comes fully loaded with multiple features. The aircraft itself weighs less than 3 pounds and can fly 45 mph. The Phantom has a range of 3.3 miles and can operate at a max elevation of 19,000. The battery life has been improved from the earlier phantom drones and is suppose to last 28 minutes on a full charge.  The drone comes in a compact size of 13 inches across diagonally and can even be worn on a special backpack.

The Phantom has front and downward facing vision systems to help with collision avoidance.  This allows the drone to auto correct flight paths when the user is unaware of an obstacle. The vision system also is cable of actively tracking users.  The active track systems can track people or vehicles and follow them without user control.

The Phantom’s camera can shoot 4k videos at 30 fps and 1080 videos at 120 fps. This allows for superior video quality in the low-level commercial range of drones.  The camera has 12.4 M pixels and comes attached to a three-axis gimbal for steady footage.

Another great feature is the app to fly the Phantom. The app is user friendly and allows for live feed while flying. The app also works for both android and IOS.          The Phantom 4 is a great first buy drone. The drone takes superior quality video and the collision avoidance may increase the life of the drone. The drone comes at a fair price.

Mid Level Commercial Drone: xFold™ Dragon x8 RTF

            xFold makes professional drones that cater to cinematography producers. Their drones range in price from $4,000 to $27,000. The Dragon cost $25,000 with all the features included.

            The Dragon weighs 35 pounds but can carry up to 66 pounds in payload. It can carry large camera and video equipment. It can be dual operated, camera and pilot. The dual operation allows for better video production. The Dragon also has a live feed for the pilot with very little lag time. The drone is used in industrial and military applications as well.

            The dragon comes with two 22,000 mAh flight batteries increasing its range. The entire drone folds up and fits in a provided case. The drone is well balanced allowing it to fly in rough conditions. It comes with the highly compatible DJI NAZA V2 flight control system. There is also a smartphone app to assist in flight.

            The dragon has fail-safe system built in as well. If the drone flies out of range a backup system will activate, returning to home. The dragon can also fly if it loses a motor. The drone will change flight patterns and return to home.

            The dragon is relatively expensive but comes with a complete yearlong warranty. Its payload allows its uses to be very versatile. The drone also has technology that helps orientates the direction of flight, which can be hard with multirotar drones.

High Level Commercial Drone: Sensefly eBee Plus

            The eBee plus is a great high-end drone that cost around $20,000 to $30,000 dollars dependent on features. The drone it self is relatively the cheap but the software technology is where the money is.

            The eBee plus can fly for 59 minutes and can cover 15.4 mi² in one flight. The drone is hand launched and can cruise at speeds of about 60 mph. The eBee comes with eMotion 3 flight planning and control software. It also comes with a Pix4DMapper image processing system.

            The High Precision on Demand technology reduces the need for ground control points and decreases the amount of time in the field.  Th eBee plus comes with different cameras to meet different needs.

            The motion 3 allows for detailed flight plans to meet very quickly. The Sensor Optimized For Drone Applications, returns superior quality geospatial data and photography.

            Sensefly drones have been field test around the world and used on numerous projects, from agriculture to disaster relief. There website is full of countless examples of professional and successful fieldwork. Dependent on the need the eBee plus seems to be a great option.