PHOENIX AERIAL SYSTEMS
Phoenix Aerial specializes in providing solutions for management, visualization and collection of geo-spatial information.
The technique we use to derive centimeter level precision is called Real Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS). This system uses the satellite signal's carrier wave in addition to the information content of the signal and relies on a single GNSS reference station to provide real-time corrections. Now what happens during short periods of GNSS outages? Enter the Inertial Navigation System (INS): the INS uses a computer, motion sensors (accelerometers) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes) to continuously calculate the position, orientation, and velocity of the system. In order to combine the two systems, a very sophisticated algorithm, known as a linear quadratic estimation (LQE), operates on streams of noisy sensor data to produce a statistically optimal estimate of the system's position at any point in time. By fusing this information with the LIDAR data, a point-cloud is generated and visualized in real-time using Phoenix Aerial SpatialExplorer.
In case real-time corrections from the GNSS reference station are not available or longer outages prevent transmission of data to Rover, a third party software package called Inertial Explorer™ can still produce a precise trajectory in post-processing. Both types of trajectories (either generated in real-time from the INS or from Inertial Explorer™ in post-processing) can be fused with LIDAR data with Phoenix Aerial SpatialFuser to create point clouds in LAS format.
The AL2/AL3 is engineered to attach to almost any vehicle and for the first time, the accompanying software is just as flexible as the module. By splitting sensor control and user interface into separate parts, multiple mapping options are possible:
Aerial Mapping
The AL2/AL3 can be used for mapping with many different vehicles such as UAV's, gyrocopters, fixed-wing aircraft, etc. As shown in the image above, the operator is typically on the ground and connected directly to the GNSS reference station. Using the Phoenix Aerial SpatialExplorer software, the operator transmits correction data to the AL2 via a long range WiFi system. The AL2/AL3 then fuses this data in real time and transmits a down-sampled pointcloud back to the operator.
Ground Mapping
When the operator travels with the AL2/AL3 in a car, boat or ATV, he/she can connect directly to the AL2/AL3 using either WiFi or an ethernet cable. Correction data can then be transmitted from the GNSS reference station to SpatialExplorer software via long range WiFi or a public IP adress (using e.g. 3G/4G). With the on-board 240 gig SSD hard drive, the operator can scan for 6 hours without having to stop to download the data.
Phoenix Aerial Advantages
The ability to visualize real time point clouds brings several key advantages:
1) The operator can immediately determine if the results match the expectations. Previously, results were available only after landing, in which case it becomes very time consuming and expensive to make any changes.
2) The operator can visualize the growing point cloud on a computer screen in real time and with this data can locate areas yet to be scanned and quickly alter the UAV’s course.
3) Via 4G network, the operator can remotely share his/her screen with clients in real time to confirm/alter LiDAR pointcloud.
