ROCK Ultra Frequency and Rotation Settings

The ROCK Ultra LiDAR system is optimized for high-precision aerial surveying. The key factors influencing point density are flight height, aircraft speed, rotation, and point rate. This article provides recommended configurations to achieve a target point density based on flight parameters.

The resultant point density for a LiDAR dataset will vary depending on the survey altitude, speed, point rate, and rotation settings for the mission.  Below is a summary of how these settings affect the point density:

• Higher flight altitudes result in lower point densities, as the laser footprint covers a larger ground area.
• Slower aircraft speeds increase point density, since more laser pulses are concentrated in a given area.
• Higher rotation speeds lead to to higher point densities, as more pulses are emitted per second. 
• Higher point rate values lead to higher point densities, as more pulses are emitted per second.

 

The recommend height and speed for a survey using a ROCK Ultra unit will depend on several factors such as survey goals, survey area, and available resources (ex. drone batteries available).  ROCK's test flights with the ROCK Ultra has found that survey grade accuracy can be achieved when flying at 120 meters AGL and 10 meters per second.  The tables below detail the recommend rotation and point rate settings to use for ROCK Ultra surveys (standard survey area as well as utility line surveys).  

 

The table below is for a standard survey scene:

Altitude (m AGL)	70	100	150	200	300	400	500
Rotation Rate (rps)	100	100	100	100	70	50	50
Point Rate (KHz)	1000	700	500	300	200	100	100

Altitude (m AGL)	70	100	150	200	300	400	500
Rotation Rate (rps)	10	100	100	100	70	50	50
Point Rate (KHz)	700	500	300	200	100	100	100