Aerial Laser Scanning (ALS)

Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS):

The TOPODRONE laser scanner is designed to perform airborne laser scanning (ALS). To perform this procedure, you will need a drone that supports the correct installation of the TOPODRONE laser scanner and is capable of following a planned flight path. One such drone, for example, is the DJI M300/350 RTK.

In order to get correct VLS data from the TOPODRONE LiDAR, the drone route should be built according to certain rules

1. Neighboring spans (hereinafter for simplification - scans) should have a lateral overlap of 30% or more. 2. 
2. Scans should be parallel to each other
3. The drone must follow neighboring scans in forward and reverse directions
4. The movement speed of the drone with the laser scanner on the main section of the VLS should be constant
5. The distance from the laser scanner to the ground surface shall be constant
6. To obtain correct VLS data, it is recommended to take at least two scans
7. Use original propellers to reduce vibration
8. Do not fly in squall winds or during precipitation to reduce noise
9. After initializing the TOPODRONE laser scanner and taking off, perform a calibration maneuver before the main VLS section of each flight
10. If the flight takes more than 30 minutes, it is recommended to perform the calibration maneuver again when the session time reaches 30 minutes after turning on the TOPODRONE laser scanner

In case of insignificant height differences at the VLS location (up to 10 meters), it is allowed to fly the drone with TOPODRONE laser scanner at a fixed altitude (AMSL) The altitude of the drone flight is set relative to the altitude of the takeoff point Accordingly, for the main part of the flight, almost any software can be used that allows you to set the flight in a circle (to perform the flight in a circle).