Tag: flight planning

  • UgCS updated for UAV-based lidar mapping

    UgCS updated for UAV-based lidar mapping

    Image: SPH Engineering
    Image: SPH Engineering

    SPH Engineering has released a lidar toolset update to UgCS — the company’s UAV mission planning and flight control software. The lidar toolset is designed to eliminate human error in remote sensing.

    Features include precise calibration, flight patterns for route planning, anti-shake turns, and constant line spacing and buffer.

    The UgCS lidar toolset allows users to optimize time and cost-effectiveness at all stages of data collection and processing. At the flight planning stage, time is saved on mission planning, with flight patterns and turns designed specifically for lidar surveys.

    At the flight stage, users can acquire high-quality laser data with preset inertial measurement unit (IMU) initialization patterns and anti-shake lidar turns. During post-flight data analysis, the high accuracy of the acquired data ensures the desired results with a single trip to the field

    “We have received various requests from lidar producers and end-users to improve the accuracy of laser data collected with a UAV,” said lexei Yankelevich, head of software development at SPH Engineering. “We have invested in UgCS R&D to focus mainly on automated IMU calibration commands, automatic calculation of required line spacing and overlap, and prevention of sensor shaking. Trial flights over SPH Engineering’s in-house test range have confirmed UgCS lidar toolset capacity to support main lidar market players.”

    Application areas include power line inspections, road inspections, construction, mining, archaeology and forestry.

  • SPH Engineering announces support for DJI M300

    Photo: UgCS
    Photo: UgCS

    SPH Engineering has released a UgCS update, adding support for the DJI M300 commercial drone. UgCS supports all flight planning patterns of the DJI M300, such as photogrammetry, corridor mapping and facade inspections.

    UgCS allows to manage the following route parameters: speed, altitude, heading, camera attitude, camera triggering modes (by time, and by distance), turn types (Stop & Turn or Adaptive Bank turn).

    “It also supports video recording in full-motion video format,” said Alexei Yankelevich, head of software development at SPH Engineering. “The drone is smart and safe, equipped with various cameras and sensors.

    UgCS support for DJI M300 cameras covers:

    • displaying videos from both FPV and main camera (H20/H20T) on the UgCS for DJI screen;
    • switching between main camera lenses: wide, zoom, thermal (for H20T);
    • changing general settings of the active lens;
    • manual camera triggering in all modes (wide/zoom/thermal)
    • video recording

    ‘We have tested DJI M300 in various scenarios and can confirm that it can be used in extreme weather scenarios,” Yankelevich said, “including low temperatures while battery capacities are significantly improved.”

    The most awaited improvement is Waypoints 2.0 which allows users to create up to 65,535 waypoints and set multiple actions for one or more payloads. This improvement is crucial for UgCS as it allows the drone to fly long routes in terrain- following mode with UgCS.

  • Skyward InFlight adds operations planning, LAANC to UAV app

    Skyward has updated its InFlight mobile ground control system app. It now offers operation planning and mobile LAANC requests.

    In October, Skyward released a major update to its airspace intelligence map on both web and mobile platforms. The update included a new airspace design, clear LAANC grids, and a redesigned user experience.

    It also integrated essential ground intelligence, including information on transmission lines, pedestrian walking paths, and 1 million vertical obstacles, as well as 3D views of key structures.

    The new features announced this month include the ability to create and plan flights from mobile device. Users can now plan flight areas, check airspace and deploy without leaving InFlight, directly from the airspace intelligence map.

    Users can now also make LAANC requests in the field to give users faster, greater access to controlled airspace. With LAANC, users can request access to airspace around airports and receive authorizations in near real time.