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      Create a Mission Plan

      Use the information below to get started creating your mission plan

      Becoming an expert LiDAR mapper requires a good understanding of mission planning. I will get into all the details of the many little things to think about that will increase your efficiency and therefore productivity. But first, the basics. The quality of your LiDAR dataset depends on 3 factors:

      • Flight Height
      • Flight Line width
      • Flight Speed

       

      Custom Camera Settings

      For initial camera set-up on your R3 Pro:

      1. Create a custom camera in your favorite mission planner
      2. Define a new custom camera called: R3 Pro
        Number of Pixels - Width 6252
        Number of Pixels - Height 4168
        Focal Length

        15.6
        FOV

        Horizontal: 72.52 deg

        Vertical: 52.15 deg
        Sensor Size - Width 23.5 mm
        Sensor Size - Height 15.6 mm

      The R2A & r360 comes with a Sony A5100 24MPx camera

      For initial camera set-up:

      1. Create a custom camera in your favorite mission planner
      2. Define a new custom camera called: R2A or R360
      Number of Pixels - Width 6000 px
      Number of Pixels - Height

      4000 px
      Sensor Size - Width 23.5 mm
      Sensor Size - Height 15.6 mm
      Pixel Pitch 3.9 µm
      Focal Length 16mm
      FOV 70 deg

       

      Recommended Mission Parameters for the M300

      Application Scan Height Overlap Speed
      General Topography 400ft (120m) 30% 8m/s (18mph)
      Survey-Grade Topography
      ≤165 ft (50m)
      		 30-50% 6m/s (13mph)

      Transmission Corridors

      		 200--225ft (60--75m) >60% 6m/s (13mph)

      Substations

      		 150ft (50m) >60% 6m/s (13mph)

      Orthomosaic 

      Creation

      		 Variable ≥50% 5m/s (11mph)
      These parameters are approximate and should be tuned to the environment and mission specific requirements.

      Define the mission area by creating a KML

      1. Download and install Google Earth Pro. Open Google Earth Pro.
      2. Enter the project address and click Search.
      3. Zoom in to see the area on the screen.
        1. Scroll mouse wheel to zoom in/out.
        2. Press U for top-down view.
        3. Press N for north-facing view.
      4. Above the map, click Add Polygon and enter a Name and Description.
        1. Keep New Polygon box open until you're done
      5. Go to Style, Color tab and change Width: 5.0 and Area: Outlined.
      6. Go to Measurements tab in the polygon box and set the desired Area and Perimeter type.
      7. Using the left mouse button, draw the shape of the area of interest. Right click will remove the last point.
      8. When complete, click OK.
      9. In the left section, right click your polygon under My Places and click Save Place As.
      10.  Select the folder and enter the name of the project.
      11. Save as type: Kml (*.kml) and click Save.

      Recommended Mission Plan Software

      • DJI Pilot
        • The DEM files for Pilot have to be GeoTIFF files which can be downloaded from USGS here https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/#/
        • Complete all of your mission planning and parameters before importing the DEM to avoid slow downs on your smart controller.
        • The margin needs to be set to 0%. 
      • Maps Made Easy (aka Map Pilot Pro)
      • UgCS
      • Q Ground Control (PX4 based Flight Controller)

      Use the navigation menu below to continue the tutorial.

      Previous

      Calibrate the R2A

      ROCK R2A Tutorial

      Facade Mount Best Practices