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Presentation Topics Outline

OVERVIEW DRONE TECHNOLOGY

What do you think of when you hear about drones? Public Perception

Drone Technology Expands Innovative Applications

Breadth of Recent Advances Limitless Applications in Variety of Areas

Benefits of Drone Data and Remote Sensing Compared to Conventional

Drone Data Benefits• Real time information• Time and Schedule• Costs (operating and capital)• Safety

– Dangerous environments to humans

– Reduces exposure to operator• Custom work plan to user• Operate in variety of conditionsGeospatial Data• Cost effective• Immediate• High Resolution • 3D

Drones Provide Improved Data Source for GIS Platform in Watershed/Floodplain

• Drones make data collection affordable– Payload does actual process of gathering data

• Floodplain applications can be more responsive– Timely and accurate data– Activities can be guided by data– Data collection can be better customized to

client needs“Drones augment reality” - Improved data can link physical infrastructure of watershed and effective monitoring / planning / activities / infrastructure

Range of Advanced Drone Technology

Nano Drone

Micro Drone

Northrop Global Hawk

Primary Component of “System”

Aircraft Navigation

Sensors Software

Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS)

Recent Advances In Drone Technology

• Lightweight long-lasting batteries• Lower costs• Lightweight digital cameras• Close range oblique aerial photography• Flight control systems

– Accuracy of flight path / GPS receiver– Accelerometer / Gyroscope– Wi-Fi enabled real time video to smartphone

• Failsafe technology – return home / anti-collision– SLAM: Simultaneous Localization and Mapping– Real-time mapping of the drone’s environment– Can be used for collision avoidance without a priori knowledge of the

environment• Post processing softwareWhat LiDAR was to terrain mapping 10+ years ago, unmanned aerial systems will be to aerial surveillance and mapping in 5-10 years

Advanced Payload Drone Technology Sensors

Sensor Types• Electro Optical (EO / RGB)

– Small Format, Non-metric, Digital Cameras

– Medium Format, Metric, Digital Cameras

• Other Sensor Types– Color Infrared (CIR)– Multi-Spectral Imagery (MSI)– Thermal Infrared (TIR)– Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI)– Oblique Imagery – Video– Magnetometer

• Purpose-Driven Remote Sensing Tools– Radioactive measurement– Gas detection– Acoustic detection– Signal detection

• LiDAR

Advanced Drone Technology - LIDAR

UAV LIDAR Mapping Applications

Advanced Drone Mapping Technology

• New programming utility –Structure from Motion (SfM) approach

• Incorporates image-matching software algorithms providing unprecedented image-to-image registration of terrain from imagery

• Imagery can be flown from a small UAV up to 50 mph at low altitude providing two-inch resolution.

• UAV’s can collect 1 square mile every hour making it ideal for GIS applications

• UAV-SfM approach also offers economical alternatives to Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS ground surveys

DRONE BASICS – COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT

Basic Components or “Anatomy” of a Drone

Essentials:• GPS

Receiver• Flight

Controller• Compass• Propeller• Propeller

Motor• Video

Transmitter• Speed

Control• Gimbal• Battery• Camera /

Sensors

Basic Components or “Anatomy” of a Drone

Gimbal – Stabilizing Platform

• Payload sensor “mounts”• Movement counterbalance

at sensorWhy it’s Important• Achieves stability for

sensors• Eliminates vibrations or

“jello” effect• Major improvement on

ability to gather accurate information

• Fixed wing do not require gimbal

Flight Controller

• Brains of the drone (autopilot)

• Help stabilize multi-rotor • Automatically fly with

pre-programed flight including landing and takeoff

Ground Base Station - Navigation

1. Remotely Controlled– First person view

• requires video transmission• “soda straw” view, still high

risk for collision with obstruction (tree branch, power line, etc.)

2. Pre-defined flight plan (auto pilot)

– Accurate digital surface models required

– Fully autonomous - detect, sense, and avoid (DSA) obstacles for collision avoidance

Selecting Fixed Wing or Copter

1. Fixed wing– Efficient for area/site mapping– Typically flies racetrack or “mowing the

yard” patterns– Best for persistent surveillance (orbital

loitering)– Flying relatively high and fast (planes have

a high minimum stall speed)– Great for covering lots of area because

they move so fast– Basically 2D with some ability to extract 3D

information

2. Rotary – helicopter or “multicopter” (ex. quad / hexa / octo copters)

– Best for slow, stabilized collection– Efficient for corridor mapping– High level of accuracy– Able to cover 3D volumes with precise

flight control– Able to move at a speed you dictate— no

minimum stall speed

Popular Commercial UAV / Drone Manufacturers

Drone Selection Based on Desired Application – Surveillance vs. Mapping

1. Emphasis• Duration• Stabilization for zoom• Some transmit real-time video/imagery,

others store for review later• More emphasis on image/video gathering,

less on geographic placement of data2. Sensor Types

• Imagery• Video

3. Products• Non-georeferenced digital imagery• Non-georeferenced digital video• Possibly structure from motion (SFM)

Drone Selection for Topographic Mapping / DEM

• Filling the gap between traditional topo surveying and the medium and high altitude photogrammetry

• Products– Orthophoto Mosaics

(Ortho)– Digital Surface Model

(DSM)– Planimetric Map

Products– Change Detection– Volumetrics– 3D Modeling

UAV Flight Planning / Control Software

Ground Station ControlsReal-time video or image downlink

Flight controls

Primary flight display

Flight planning

Flight management

Camera controls

Object tracking

Video stabilization

Waypoint navigation

Video or image post processing

Advances in Flight Control / Ground Control Software

• Waypoints– Likened to a co-pilot, automatically flies to

a series of set waypoints in the sky at a customizable speed. Angles of camera and flight plan can be adjusted and saved.

• Point of Interest – Automatically flies around a specified

point at a preset height and radius, keeping the point in the center of the frame.

• Follow Me– Follows a beacon signal emitted by a

smartphone. This is intended for use in sports, when the drone follows a target with little or no manual control

UAV Post-Processing and DEM / Orthophoto Preparation

MappingFlight planning

Flight management

Data download / coverage checkAPM and AT

Surface model extraction

Orthorectification

Mosaicing

Analysis

UAV Post-Processing and DEM / Orthophoto Preparation

• PhotoScan• DroneMapper• APS Automatic

Photogrammetry Software (Menci)

• Global Mapper• Trimble – TBC aerial

photogrammetry module

FLOODPLAIN / WATERSHED APPLICATIONS

Improved Applications for Data Acquisition In Floodplain / Watershed

• Floodplain DEM• Real-time storm flood monitoring / flow

depths• Storm floodplain delineation• Stream characterization / geomorphology• Streambank erosion monitoring• Flood facility inspection• Flood damage investigation• Floodplain vegetation evaluation• Watershed characterization/landuse• Flood control facility construction monitoring

Real Time DEM for Floodplain Model Data Source at Required Accuracy

Real Time Storm Flood Inundation Mapping

Improved Accuracy of Base Floodplain DEM with LIDAR

LIDAR Based Drone Survey River Water Depths Mapping

Watershed / Floodplain Vegetation Surveys / Assessments

Geomorphic Assessment River Floodplain and Alluvial Fans

Example of Floodplain Applications

MAPPING WITH DRONES –DEMs FOR FLOODPLAIN STUDY

Work Program for DEM Generation

Basic Steps1. Flight plan

– Automated – Overlap required

2. Ground control points

– Number of required

3. Post Processing– Software

Step No. 1 Align All Images - Post Processing

Step No. 1 Align All Images - Post Processing

Step No. 2 – Build Cloud of Dense Data Points

Step No. 2 – Build Cloud of Dense Data Points

Step 3 – Classify Points

Step 4 – Build Mesh

Step 4 – Build Mesh

Step 5 – Tie to Ground Control Points

Step 6 – Export Output to Orthophoto / DEM

DRONE REGULATIONS / LAWS

Status of FAA Regulations

• September 30,2015 deadline for FAA to integrate UAVs into national airspace– FAA will miss deadline– Proposed DRAFT Rule divided into:

• Operational Limitations• Operator Certification• Aircraft Requirements

• Current 2012 Regulations limit uses and divided into user groups:– Recreational– Commercial Business

• Selling photos or videos taken from a UAS• Using UAS to provide contract services, such as industrial equipment or factory

inspection• Using UAS to provide professional services, such as security or telecommunications• Professional cinema photography for a film or television production• Providing contract services for mapping or land surveys

– Government

Proposed Federal Regulations –Drone Operations

Commercial User – Currently Apply for Exemption under FAA Section 333

• Section 333 Exemption – a grant of exemption in accordance with Section 333 AND a civil Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA); this process may be used to perform commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments.

Summary of FAA Section 333 Exemption Application Information Requirements

Description of intended use and proposed operation Standard procedures used to ensure safe flight (i.e. pre-flight,

maintenance, etc.) Radio frequency used for operation/FCC approvalQualifications of Pilot in Command (PIC) including level of airman

certification and hours of flight experience Standard medical evaluation of PIC Describe how UAV operation will not adversely impact public

safety Specify maximum operating speed / altitude / minimum flight

visibilityMust be operated in visual line of sight and indicate howObtain Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) from FAA

prior to operating UAV through this process

California Draft Drone Legislation – SB 142

• Fly drones no lower than 350 feet above private property without owner’s permission.

• Exemption for lawful flights of government and law enforcement drones

• Senate approved bill

Future Trends in Drone Technology

• Consumers– Lower cost– Easier use – more automation– Integration into consumer products

(like Google Earth)• Professionals

– Larger (MP) and better (metric) cameras

– More variety of sensors– Automated and real time data

processing – Persistent surveillance– Solar powered stratospheric platforms

• Technology– Improvements in autonomous

controls• Detect, Sense, and Avoid (DSA)

for collision avoidance• 3D modeling for navigation

– Range imaging– LiDAR

– Standardization of control system and common use between different kinds of UAV

– Improved stabilization– Better fuel cells enabling longer

flight times– Miniaturization - micro UAS– Automated in-flight decision

making and actionable use

New Prosumer Drone Technology