The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. Voi. XXXVII. Part Bl. Beijing 2008
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commercial digital camera, and an inexpensive IMU (FOG:
Fiber Optic Gyro) are proposed for multi sensor integration, and
these sensors are low cost in comparison with existing aerial
measurement system. These low cost equipments are easy to
find in market. “Mobility” means light weight system and
simple system to modify. Weights of sensors are shown in
Table 1. That is, this system can be borne by a variety of
platforms, any kinds of UAV, and not only an UAV but also
ground vehicle, carrying by human, etc. These sensors do not
own excellent specification, but they are light and low cost with
enough specification. These handy sensors are used and make
excellent results by integrating of sensors.
Sensors
Model
Specification
Digital
Camera
Canon
EOS 10D
3,072x2,048 pixels
Focus length: 24.0mm
Weight: 500g
Digital
Camera
Canon
EOS 5D
4,368x2,912 pixels
Focus length: 15.0mm (Fish eye lens)
Weight: 500g
IR
Camera
Tetracam
ADC3
2,048x1,536 pixels
Green, Red and NIR sensitivity with
bands approximately equal to TM2,
TM3 and TM4.
Focus length: 10.0mm
Weight: 500g
Laser
Scanner
SICK
LMS-291
Angular resolution: 0.25°
Max. Distance: 80m
Accuracy (20m): 10mm
Weight: 4,000g
IMU
Tamagawa
Seiki Co.,
Ltd
TA7544
Fiber Optic Gyro
Accuracy
Angle: ±0.1°
Angle Velocity: ±0.05°/s
Acceleration: ±0.002G
Weight: l,000g
GPS
Ashtech
G12
Accuracy Differential: 40cm
Velocity Accuracy: 0.1(95%)
Weight: 150g
Table 1. List of sensors
2.2 UAV Platform
In this research, all the measurement tools are mounted on the
UAV, RPH2, which is made by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.,
shown in Figure 1. The size of RPH2 is a length of 4.1m, a
width of 1.3m, and a height of 1.8m and weight is 330kg.
Payload is approximately 100kg. All the sensors are tightly
fixed under the UAV. RPH2 is quite big UAV, however, in this
study, RPH2 is considered as testbed which is a platform for
experimentation for development of multi sensor integration
algorithm. RPH2 has large payload, so many sensors and
control PCs with large battery can be mounted during
experiment. After the development of the multi sensor
integration algorithm, small UAV system, as shown in Figure 2
is implemented with selected sensors for certain observation
target.
There are several advantages to utilize an UAV. One of the
most advantageous things is unmanned platform, so it can fly
over dangerous zone such as disaster, floating ice, land mines,
and so on. Advantage of UAV suits the purpose of direct geo-
referencing of this research. Direct geo-referencing does not
require ground control points with accurately measured ground
coordinate value. In dangerous zone, it is impossible to set
control points unlike normal aerial surveys. Therefore,
combination of this direct geo-referencing method from an
UAV might be ideal tools for dangerous monitoring purpose.
Therefore, the targets of this mapping system are for disaster
such as landslide and river monitoring, not for urban area.
In addition, for conducting safety operation, the UAV is
restricted to fly over people, houses, and cars, also, the UAV
doesn’t fly if wind speed is more than 10 m/s. In the experiment,
the UAV flies about 1,6m/sec. of speed for acquiring laser point
data with sufficiently fine resolution and sequential digital
camera images with sufficient overlaps.
Figure 1. RPH2
Figure 2. Small UAVs
2.3 Setting of Sensors
All the sensors are tightly fixed on the UAV to have constant
geometric relationship. Calibration of CCD cameras is
calculated for interior orientation parameters such as focal
length, lens, distortion, principle points, and interior orientation
(Kunii and Chikatsu, 2001). Estimation of relative position and
attitude among the sensors is also conducted (Shapiro, 1987).
All the sensors are controlled by one laptop PC and they are
synchronized by GPS time (one pulse per second). Sensors are
set as shown in Figure 3. Digital video camera is also put on the
UAV. This video camera sends images to the ground on real
time to monitor flight course. RPH2 has large payload, so it is
not necessary to think about weight. Large battery is also set to
supply sensors and PC with electric power during the
experiment. It is possible to flight long period.