BOE UAV-based Surveying

BoE Systems entered the mobile mapping industry with the ELV16 Scanner, the most compact aerial-based LiDAR solution of the market.

The ELV16 Scanner is equipped with a Velodyne LiDAR sensor and an SBG Systems Ellipse2-D inertial navigation sensor. The ELV16 Scanner is a versatile, economic, and smart solution for LiDAR data acquisition

Versatile Solution for LiDAR data acquisition

The ELV16 Scanner includes a complete drone-based aerial LiDAR data collection and control system. BOE scanner’s success centers around a superbly integrated Velodyne LiDAR sensor, Ellipse2-D inertial navigation system, GNSS antennas, an onboard computer, communication equipment, and a dedicated power supply.

The scanner is securely mounted to a DJI Matrice 600 Pro UAV for simple, safe, and effective access to the work site. The ELV16 Scanner is remotely operated through a simple yet, effective user-friendly interface.

Featuring a robust suite of continuous monitoring capabilities, the operator can control and monitor the streaming data acquisition from start to finish with a few taps on a smart device or clicks on a laptop.

“You can start your data acquisition at takeoff, or you can start the data collection when the UAV is right on top of the specific zone to survey, and then stop it whenever you want” declares Jason Littrell, founder of BoE Systems.

This approach allows users the flexibility to collect only the data they require; meaning less time on post-processing. And when it’s time for post-processing, the ELV16 Scanner outputs the industry-standard LAS data files, which import seamlessly into all major drafting and modeling software.

UAV Motion Compensation & Georeferencing

Ellipse2-D is a Dual Antenna Inertial Navigation System which embeds an RTK GNSS receiver with post-processing capabilities. It is widely used in the mobile mapping industry because of its smart balance of accuracy, weight and price. Ellipse2-D provides roll, pitch, GNSS-based heading and centimeter-level position.

It is used to compensate for the UAV motion, and thus to orient and geo-reference the point cloud generated by the LiDAR sensor.

Ellipse2-D is factory calibrated in dynamics and temperature which ensures a constant behavior whatever the conditions. GNSS-based heading makes it immune to magnetic fi eld, so the UAV can get close to power lines without disturbance.

To get the best performance, specifi c motion profi les have been designed, taking into account UAV specifi c vehicle motion characteristics. “We heard some good reviews about SBG sensors being used in the surveying industry, so we conducted some tests with the Ellipse2-D and the results were exactly what we needed” concludes Jason.