The Direct Mapping Solution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (DMS) payload is a complete and ready-to-integrate mapping solution, which provides Direct Georeferencing for the md4-3000. Working with Microdrones, Applanix has combined its latest low-power Direct Georeferencing technology and workflow solutions with the latest Microdrones vehicle. State-of-the-art imaging sensors provide a professional grade mapping payload for the md4-3000. The combination of Microdrones’ powerful and versatile airframe with Applanix’ industry-leading technology offers cost and time efficiencies for many mapping tasks. The new platforms make difficult or expensive mapping tasks possible.
In the traditional world of aerial photogrammetry, the process of surveying in a network of ground control points (GCPs) to align images and perform triangulation has been rendered largely obsolete by high-end camera systems using Direct Georeferencing. This technique relies on knowing the position and orientation of the sensor payload to a very high degree of accuracy and precision, so that the location of individual pixels on the ground can be computed directly. For manned aircraft, the relative size, weight and cost of GNSS aided inertial navigation systems – and the attendant computing equipment required to process the data – do not represent a significant obstacle to the capability of the aircraft.
APPLANIX’ DMS UAV IS DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR DIRECT GEOREFERENCING ON UAVS
In a small unmanned system, the physical and financial constraints present a different set of challenges. On the one hand, the size, weight and power (SWAP) limitations – and the financial cost model of a UAV airframe – have rendered high-end Direct Georeferencing systems impossible or uneconomic until now. Applanix has brought together all of its experience in positioning, orientation, multi-sensor integration and Direct Georeferencing, along with the very best in small form-factor hardware and powerful software, to produce a Direct Georeferencing solution for professional aerial mapping for Microdrones.