Requirements and operating conditions

TOPODRONE laser scanners are designed for use in weather without precipitation. Operation in rain, snow, frost, hail and fog is prohibited. The construction of TOPODRONE laser scanner does not have protection according to IP standard and in case of violation of this recommendation, moisture can get on the surface of the scanning lens and inside the device. This, in its turn, may deteriorate the quality of the received data, as well as damage the internal structure of the laser scanner itself. If precipitation begins, we recommend that you stop using the equipment. If scanning is performed in the presence of even slight rain, additional noise from false reflections due to water droplets or snow may occur.

Operation of the TOPODRONE laser scanner in sub-zero temperatures and high humidity (above 80%) can lead to icing of the equipment and the drone. This can deteriorate the quality of the acquired data, as well as cause damage to the laser scanner structure and even lead to the aircraft crashing during VLS due to icing of the carrying propellers and their probable firing as a result of a sharp increase in the mass of the carrying blades.

When operating TOPODRONE VLS laser scanners in winds above 7 m/s, it is necessary to increase the side overlap of the drone between scans, as the wind can affect the number of overlapping areas. Operation of TOPODRONE laser scanners for MLS in strong winds is limited by the physical capabilities of the operator. The maximum recommended wind strength when performing VLS is 10 m/s. High winds have a much lower impact on data quality degradation when performing MLS than when performing VLS. It is not recommended to perform terrain surface scanning immediately after rain or wet snow, when there is still a thin film of water on the surface due to much worse reflection and, as a consequence, less number of points received from the surface.

For correct data post-processing it is necessary to perform at least two passes in forward and reverse directions with overlap of at least 30% relative to each other. A single pass is not effective. In case of insufficient quality or complete absence of GNSS signal, operation of TOPODRONE 100/100+/200+ laser scanners is impossible. The minimum visible number of satellites is 8 (above the elevation mask of 15°). It is strongly recommended to check the weather conditions and the number of visible GNSS satellites before the flight. It does not always make sense to perform VLS / MLS in the same area at different times.

Operation of the TOPODRONE laser scanner requires careful and gentle handling of the main lens of the laser scanning sensor. This lens has a surface hardness similar to plastic, not glass. Due to this fact, foreign objects can easily scratch the surface of the sensor. Minor single scratches on the sensor will not result in a noticeable deterioration of the data quality. To protect the lens surface from scratches, it is recommended to use a cover. It is not recommended to keep the TOPODRONE laser scanner switched on for more than 4 hours.