Title | Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Rangeland Mapping and Monitoring: A Comparison of Two Systems |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2007 |
Journal | ASPRS 2007 Annual Conference |
Start Page | 1 |
Pagination | 1-10 |
Date Published | 05/2007 |
Abstract | Aerial photography from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) bridges the gap between ground-based observations and remotely sensed imagery from aerial and satellite platforms. UAVs can be deployed quickly and repeatedly, are less costly and safer than piloted aircraft, and can obtain very high-resolution imagery. At the Jornada Experimental Range in New Mexico, ongoing research is aimed at determining the utility of UAVs for rangeland mapping, assessment and monitoring. Digital images of arid rangelands were acquired with two UAVs that differed in size/weight, payload capacity, flight duration, GPS guidance capability and cost. The first system was a modified model airplane equipped with GPS and able to fly along preloaded waypoints and acquire images with a digital camera. The second UAV was a BAT 3 (MLB Systems) with fully autonomous flight capability and equipped with color video and digital cameras. Both units provide a data file containing GPS and elevation for each image, but the BAT also records roll, pitch and heading data. Both systems acquired high quality, high-resolution images of approximately 5 cm ground resolution (at 150 m flying height). Because the images have a small footprint (152 m x 114 m), mosaicking is required for further image analysis. Inclusion of camera calibration parameters (lens distortion, focal length, principal point) greatly increased the accuracy of the aero triangulation process and the |
URL | files/bibliography/Rango2007-02.pdf |