scholarly journals UAV BLOCK GEOREFERENCING AND CONTROL BY ON-BOARD GNSS DATA

2020 ◽  
Vol XLIII-B2-2020 ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
G. Forlani ◽  
F. Diotri ◽  
U. Morra di Cella ◽  
R. Roncella
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Italian Alps ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Remote Sites ◽  
Gnss Data ◽  
And Control

Abstract. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are established platforms for photogrammetric surveys in remote areas. They are lightweight, easy to operate and can allow access to remote sites otherwise difficult (or impossible) to be surveyed with other techniques. Very good accuracy can be obtained also with low-cost UAV platforms as far as a reliable ground control is provided. However, placing ground control points (GCP) in these contexts is time consuming and requires accessibility that, in some cases, can be troublesome. RTK-capable UAV platforms are now available at reasonable costs and can overcome most of these problems, requiring just few (or none at all) GCP and still obtaining accurate results. The paper will present a set of experiments performed in cooperation with ARPA VdA (the Environmental Protection Agency of Valle d’Aosta region, Italy) on a test site in the Italian Alps using a Dji Phantom 4 RTK platform. Its goals are: a) compare accuracies obtainable with different calibration procedures (pre- or on-the-job/self-calibration); b) evaluate the accuracy improvements using different number of GCP when the site allows for it; and c) compare alternative positioning modes for camera projection centres determination, (Network RTK, RTK, Post Processing Kinematic and Single Point Positioning).

scholarly journals Accuracy of 3D Landscape Reconstruction without Ground Control Points Using Different UAS Platforms

Drones ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Kalacska ◽  
Oliver Lucanus ◽  
J. Pablo Arroyo-Mora ◽  
Étienne Laliberté ◽  
Kathryn Elmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Model Errors ◽  
Positional Accuracy ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Aerial Systems

The rapid increase of low-cost consumer-grade to enterprise-level unmanned aerial systems (UASs) has resulted in the exponential use of these systems in many applications. Structure from motion with multiview stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry is now the baseline for the development of orthoimages and 3D surfaces (e.g., digital elevation models). The horizontal and vertical positional accuracies (x, y and z) of these products in general, rely heavily on the use of ground control points (GCPs). However, for many applications, the use of GCPs is not possible. Here we tested 14 UASs to assess the positional and within-model accuracy of SfM-MVS reconstructions of low-relief landscapes without GCPs ranging from consumer to enterprise-grade vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms. We found that high positional accuracy is not necessarily related to the platform cost or grade, rather the most important aspect is the use of post-processing kinetic (PPK) or real-time kinetic (RTK) solutions for geotagging the photographs. SfM-MVS products generated from UAS with onboard geotagging, regardless of grade, results in greater positional accuracies and lower within-model errors. We conclude that where repeatability and adherence to a high level of accuracy are needed, only RTK and PPK systems should be used without GCPs.

scholarly journals Assessing the Accuracy of Digital Surface Models Derived from Optical Imagery Acquired with Unmanned Aerial Systems

Drones ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Manfreda ◽  
Petr Dvorak ◽  
Jana Mullerova ◽  
Sorin Herban ◽  
Pietro Vuono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Earthen Dam ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Aerial Systems

Small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) equipped with an optical camera are a cost-effective strategy for topographic surveys. These low-cost UASs can provide useful information for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction even if they are equipped with a low-quality navigation system. To ensure the production of high-quality topographic models, careful consideration of the flight mode and proper distribution of ground control points are required. To this end, a commercial UAS was adopted to monitor a small earthen dam using different combinations of flight configurations and by adopting a variable number of ground control points (GCPs). The results highlight that optimization of both the choice and combination of flight plans can reduce the relative error of the 3D model to within two meters without the need to include GCPs. However, the use of GCPs greatly improved the quality of the topographic survey, reducing error to the order of a few centimeters. The combined use of images extracted from two flights, one with a camera mounted at nadir and the second with a 20° angle, was found to be beneficial for increasing the overall accuracy of the 3D model and especially the vertical precision.

scholarly journals CORRECTION OF MOBILE MAPPING TRAJECTORIES IN GNSS-DENIED ENVIRONMENTS USING AERIAL NADIR AND AERIAL OBLIQUE IMAGES

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W13 ◽  
pp. 1649-1654
Author(s):  
P. Fanta-Jende ◽  
F. Nex ◽  
M. Gerke ◽  
J. Lijnen ◽  
G. Vosselman
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Image Data ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Mobile Mapping ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Oblique Images

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Mobile mapping enables highly accurate as well as high-resolution image data capture at low cost and high speed. As a terrestrial acquisition technique predominately employed in urban, and thus built-up areas, non-line-of-sight and multipath effects challenge its absolute positioning capabilities provided by GNSS. In conjunction with IMU drift, the platform’s trajectory has an unknown accuracy, which influences the quality of the data product. By employing a highly accurate co-registration technique for identifying tie correspondences between mobile mapping images and aerial nadir as well as aerial oblique images, reliable ground control can be introduced into an adjustment solution. We exemplify the performance of our registration results by showcasing adjusted mobile mapping trajectories in four different test areas, each with about 100 consecutive recording locations (approx. 500&amp;thinsp;m length) in the city centre of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The mobile mapping data has been adjusted in different configurations, i.e. with nadir or oblique aerial correspondences only and if possible in conjunction. To compare the horizontal as well as the vertical accuracy before and after the respective adjustments, more than 30 ground control points were surveyed for these experiments. In general, the aim of our technique is not only to correct mobile mapping trajectories in an automated fashion but also to verify their accuracy without the need to acquire ground control points. In most of our test cases, the overall accuracy of the mobile mapping image positions in the trajectory could be improved. Depending on the test area, an RMSE in 3D between 15 and 21&amp;thinsp;cm and an RMSE in 2D between 11 and 18&amp;thinsp;cm is achievable.</p>

scholarly journals FISHEYE LENS IMAGE CAPTURE ANALYSIS FOR INDOOR 3D RECONSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W17 ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. León-Vega ◽  
M. I. Rodríguez-Laitón
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Digital Cameras ◽  
Image Capture ◽  
Fisheye Lens ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Lens Image ◽  
Made In

Abstract. The following article has as its purpose to solve a series of questions related to the acquisition of fisheye lens images made in the Benchmark FINE, making use of this data and images to generate a reconstruction to the tower of the chapel of San Vigilio in 3D using SFM photogrammetry and its application methodologies using low-cost instruments and sensors such as non-metric digital cameras. The fisheye lens has a wide range of focus and field of view that makes it possible to capture a scene with a limited number of images more quickly and efficiently. An analysis is intended to be carried out on the basis of the results obtained by assessing their accuracy and quality to determine the feasibility in the proposed initial use for the assessment of spaces difficult access by maintaining geometry without distances, scale, defined orientation in images, or ground control points (GPCs).

scholarly journals Short Communication: A simple workflow for robust low-cost UAV-derived change detection without ground control points

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Cook ◽  
Michael Dietze
Keyword(s):  
Change Detection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Standard Approach ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
3D Point Clouds ◽  
Tectonically Active ◽  
Comparative Accuracy

Abstract. High quality 3D point clouds generated from repeat camera-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys are increasingly being used to investigate landscape changes and geomorphic processes. Point cloud quality can be expressed as accuracy in a comparative (i.e., from survey to survey) and absolute (between survey and an external reference system) sense. Here we present a simple workflow for calculating pairs or sets of point clouds with a high comparative accuracy, without the need for ground control points or a dGPS equipped UAV. We demonstrate the efficacy of the new approach using a consumer-grade UAV in two contrasting landscapes: the coastal cliffs on the Island of Rügen, Germany, and the tectonically active Daan River gorge in Taiwan. Compared to a standard approach using ground control points, our workflow results in a nearly identical distribution of measured changes. Compared to a standard approach without ground control, our workflow reduces the level of change detection from several meters to 10–15 cm. This approach enables robust change detection using UAVs in settings where ground control is not possible.

scholarly journals Indirect UAV Strip Georeferencing by On-Board GNSS Data under Poor Satellite Coverage

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 1765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianfranco Forlani ◽  
Fabrizio Diotri ◽  
Umberto Morra di Cella ◽  
Riccardo Roncella
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite Systems ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Satellite Systems ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Flight Height ◽  
Camera Position ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Gnss Data

The so-called Real Time Kinematic (RTK) option, which allows one to determine with cm-level accuracy the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) camera position at shooting time, is also being made available on medium- or low-cost drones. It can be foreseen that a sizeable amount of UAV surveys will be soon performed (almost) without Ground Control Points (GCP). However, obstacles to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signal at the optimal flight altitude might prevent accurate retrieval of camera station positions, e.g., in narrow gorges. In such cases, the master block can be georeferenced by tying it to an (auxiliary) block flown at higher altitude, where the GNSS signal is not impeded. To prove the point in a worst case scenario, but under controlled conditions, an experiment was devised. A single strip about 700 m long, surveyed by a multi-copter at 30 m relative flight height, was referenced with cm-level accuracy by joint adjustment with a block flown at 100 m relative flight height, acquired by a fixed-wing UAV provided with RTK option. The joint block orientation was repeated with or without GCP and with pre-calibrated or self-calibrated camera parameters. Accuracy on ground was assessed on a fair number of Check Points (CP). The results show that, even without GCP, the precision is effectively transferred from the auxiliary block projection centres to the object point horizontal coordinates and, with a pre-calibrated camera, also to the elevations.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF GROUND CONTROL POINTS CONFIGURATION AND CAMERA CALIBRATION FOR DTM AND ORTHOMOSAIC GENERATION USING IMAGERY OBTAINED FROM A LOW-COST UAV

2020 ◽  
Vol V-1-2020 ◽  
pp. 239-244
Author(s):  
M. V. Y. Garcia ◽  
H. C. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Digital Terrain Model ◽  
Flying Height ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Digital Products ◽  
Positional Accuracy ◽  
Terrain Model ◽  
Ground Control Points

Abstract. Technological improvement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and computer vision algorithms, such as Structured-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-view Stereo (MVS) have provided the possibility for high-resolution mapping and high-density point cloud generation using low-cost equipment and sensors. Orthomosaics and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) are the main digital products considering mapping purposes. Their quality is directly related to the sensors boarded on the UAV and data processing. Ground Control Points (GCPs) are used in the process of indirect georeferencing and also to model the lens distortions. The number of GCPs used in this process affects the positional accuracy of the final products. This study aims to determine the optimum number of GCPs to achieve high accuracy orthomosaics and DTM. To obtain this optimum number, an area of 3.85 ha was mapped with a low-cost UAV DJI Phantom 4 Advanced at 31 m flying height, lateral and longitudinal overlap of 90% and 80%, respectively, and using 22 checkpoints for quality assessment. For the experiments, different configuration were used both for the number of GCPs and for the use of self-calibration process or pre-calibrated camera IOP (Interior Orientation Parameters). The results show that for the flight configuration used in this work and for the mentioned UAV, a total of 5 GCPs, with pre-calibrated camera IOP, yields an accuracy of 0.023 m for X, 0.031 m for Y and 0.033 m for Z.

scholarly journals High accuracy UAV photogrammetry of ice sheet dynamics with no ground control

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Chudley ◽  
Poul Christoffersen ◽  
Samuel H. Doyle ◽  
Antonio Abellan ◽  
Neal Snooke
Keyword(s):  
Carrier Phase ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Distributed Network ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Ice Flows ◽  
Glacial Environments ◽  
Ice Sheet Dynamics ◽  
At Will

Abstract. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Structure from Motion with Multi-View Stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry are increasingly common tools for geoscience applications, but final product accuracy can be significantly diminished in the absence of a dense and well-distributed network of ground control points (GCPs). This is problematic in inaccessible or hazardous field environments, including highly crevassed glaciers, where implementing suitable GCP networks would be logistically difficult if not impossible. To overcome this challenge, we present an alternative geolocation approach known as GNSS-supported aerial triangulation (GNSS-AT). Here, an on-board carrier-phase GNSS receiver is used to determine the location of photo acquisitions using kinematic differential carrier-phase positioning. The camera positions can be used as the geospatial input to the photogrammetry process. We describe the implementation of this method in a low-cost, custom-built UAV, and apply the method in a glaciological setting at Store Glacier in West Greenland. We validate the technique at the calving front, achieving topographic uncertainties of ±0.07 m horizontally and ±0.14 m vertically when flying at an altitude of ~ 450 m a.s.l. This compares favourably with previous GCP-derived uncertainties in glacial environments, and allowed us to apply the SfM-MVS photogrammetry at an inland study site where ice flows at 2 m day−1 and where stable ground control is not available. Here, we were able to produce, without the use of GCPs, the first UAV-derived velocity fields of an ice sheet interior. Given the growing use of UAVs and SfM-MVS in glaciology and the geosciences, GNSS-AT will be of interest to those wishing to use UAV photogrammetry to obtain high-precision measurements of topographic change in contexts where GCP collection is logistically constrained.

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