Improving aerial mapping data collection
Inertial systems, such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), are crucial components in aerial surveying.
These systems provide real-time data on the aircraft’s orientation, position, and movement, allowing for precise georeferencing of collected images and sensor data. Inertial systems work alongside GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to ensure that even when GNS signals are weak or unavailable, the aircraft continues to gather accurate spatial information.
One of the significant advantages of using inertial systems in aerial surveying is their ability to compensate for the aircraft’s movements, such as pitch, roll, and yaw, which can affect the quality of the collected data. By continuously measuring the aircraft’s attitude, inertial systems correct any distortions in the imagery or sensor data, ensuring that the results are consistent and accurate. This is particularly important in applications like LiDAR, where slight inaccuracies can result in substantial errors in the final dataset.
Moreover, inertial systems enhance the efficiency of aerial surveys by allowing for faster data acquisition without compromising accuracy. Surveyors can fly at higher altitudes and faster speeds, covering more ground in less time, which reduces operational costs while still achieving high-quality results.
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Applications of inertial systems in aerial mapping
Inertial systems play a critical role in various aerial mapping applications. For example, in corridor mapping, which involves surveying long, narrow areas such as roads, railways, or pipelines, IMUs and INS ensure that the data is accurately aligned along the route. This enables engineers and planners to make precise calculations for infrastructure development and maintenance.
In forestry and agricultural monitoring, inertial systems allow drones or manned aircraft to fly over vast areas, collecting data that helps in resource management, crop analysis, and environmental conservation. The accurate mapping of forests and farmlands can inform decisions on land use, irrigation, and harvesting, optimizing productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
In construction and urban planning, aerial surveys supported by inertial systems provide detailed topographic maps and 3D models of the terrain. These datasets are essential for designing and implementing large-scale projects, as they offer a clear understanding of the land’s features and potential challenges. Additionally, inertial systems enable real-time data processing, which speeds up project timelines and enhances decision-making.
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Aerial surveying real-time positioning and navigation
In aerial surveying, the combination of INS and GNSS offers a robust solution for real-time positioning and navigation. These systems work in tandem to provide continuous, high-precision data, regardless of environmental conditions. In GNSS-denied environments, such as under heavy cloud cover or in dense forests, inertial systems step in to ensure that the survey continues without loss of accuracy.
INS technology calculates the aircraft’s position by integrating measurements from accelerometers and gyroscopes, which track the aircraft’s acceleration and rotational movements. When combined with GNSS data, this provides a comprehensive picture of the aircraft’s flight path and positioning, which is critical for ensuring that the collected data is georeferenced correctly.
Real-time positioning also plays a key role in dynamic environments where conditions can change rapidly, such as during disaster relief operations or in rapidly evolving construction zones. The ability to adjust flight paths and data collection parameters on the fly allows surveyors to capture the most relevant information, improving the overall quality and utility of the survey results.
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Our solutions for aerial survey
Our motion and navigation products are tailored to the needs of aerial surveying applications. Our high-performance INS solutions with GNSS receivers, deliver real-time positioning, navigation, and orientation data, ensuring the highest levels of accuracy and reliability for your aerial surveys.
Quanta Extra
Qinertia GNSS-INS
Surveying applications brochure
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Case studies
Learn how our products have been successfully integrated into aerial surveying applications worldwide.
Our case studies showcase real-world examples of how SBG Systems’ inertial systems have improved the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of aerial mapping projects.
From large-scale infrastructure surveys to environmental monitoring, our inertial systems have proven their value in a wide range of applications.
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Hear first hand, from the innovators and clients who have adopted our technology.
Their testimonials and success stories illustrate the significant impact our sensors have in practical UAV navigation applications.
Do you have questions?
Welcome to our FAQ section! Here, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about the applications we showcase. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us directly!
How can I combine inertial systems with a LIDAR for drone mapping?
Combining SBG Systems’ inertial systems with LiDAR for drone mapping enhances accuracy and reliability in capturing precise geospatial data.
Here’s how the integration works and how it benefits drone-based mapping:
- A remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth’s surface, creating a detailed 3D map of the terrain or structures.
- SBG Systems’ INS combines an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with GNSS data to provide accurate positioning, orientation (pitch, roll, yaw), and velocity, even in GNSS-denied environments.
SBG’s inertial system is synchronized with the LiDAR data. The INS accurately tracks the drone’s position and orientation, while the LiDAR captures the terrain or object details below.
By knowing the precise orientation of the drone, the LiDAR data can be accurately positioned in 3D space.
The GNSS component provides global positioning, while the IMU offers real-time orientation and movement data. The combination ensures that even when the GNSS signal is weak or unavailable (e.g., near tall buildings or dense forests), the INS can continue to track the drone’s path and position, allowing for consistent LiDAR mapping.
What is georeferencing in aerial surveying?
Georeferencing is the process of aligning geographic data (such as maps, satellite images, or aerial photography) to a known coordinate system so that it can be accurately placed on the Earth’s surface.
This allows the data to be integrated with other spatial information, enabling precise location-based analysis and mapping.
In the context of surveying, georeferencing is essential for ensuring that the data collected by tools like LiDAR, cameras, or sensors on drones is accurately mapped to real-world coordinates.
By assigning latitude, longitude, and elevation to each data point, georeferencing ensures that the captured data reflects the exact location and orientation on the Earth, which is crucial for applications such as geospatial mapping, environmental monitoring, and construction planning.
Georeferencing typically involves using control points with known coordinates, often obtained through GNSS or ground surveying, to align the captured data with the coordinate system.
This process is vital for creating accurate, reliable, and usable spatial datasets.
What is photogrammetry?
Photogrammetry is the science and technique of using photographs to measure and map distances, dimensions, and features of objects or environments. By analyzing overlapping images taken from different angles, photogrammetry allows for the creation of accurate 3D models, maps, or measurements. This process works by identifying common points in multiple photographs and calculating their positions in space, using principles of triangulation.
Photogrammetry is widely used in various fields, such as:
- Photogrammetry topographic mapping: Creating 3D maps of landscapes and urban areas.
- Architecture and engineering: For building documentation and structural analysis.
- Photogrammetry in archaeology: Documenting and reconstructing sites and artifacts.
- Aerial photogrammetry surveying: For land measurement and construction planning.
- Forestry and agriculture: Monitoring crops, forests, and land use changes.
When photogrammetry is combined with modern drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), it enables the rapid collection of aerial images, making it an efficient tool for large-scale surveying, construction, and environmental monitoring projects.
