(1) Preparing Ugcs: First, install the Ugcs tool suite and run the application. Go to “Settings”, and “Interface”, and select the language of your preference or your local language.
(2) Configuration of the drone profile: Open the profile section under Menu. Select your drone model. After that, go to the option of “Editing”. Set the options and save the changes. Also, keep in mind that the flight area is constrained by the “Operational Range”.
(3) Set up the mapping project: Click on the “Main Menu”, and select “Create a new mission.” Then, you need to select “From Scratch” and choose the model of your drone. Set the initial project settings and press OK.
(4) Uploading operational area from KMZ to KML files: Open “Map Settings” under Menu and click on “Map Layers”. Then, open the 2D objects TAB, and click on the “ADD” button. Make a new layer and upload the KMZ file to it. Press “>” to get the layer added to the map and also to display your working area on the map.
(5) Map and Terrain Caching: Click on the” Map Options” under Menu, and select “Offline map”. This will make the working area data readily available offline in the field. Online calculation of routes is highly recommended. Ugcs for Dji caches altitude data and map with the route, thus ensuring offline availability.
(6) Terrain Map Uploading and Custom Orthophotomosaic: If either your working area has an inaccurate map or the situation has changed significantly, you can upload DEM and custom Orthophotomosaic. You can use WGS84 ellipsoid and standard UTM projection. Open the “Map Settings “menu, select “Map Layers”, and the Orthophotomosaic will be displayed. In a Map Tab, design a new source, and upload your Orthophotomosaic here. Press the “>” button to make it active. Open the “Height” TAB, design a new terrain source, upload DEM in raster, and then add it to the map. This will display the DEM.
(7) Mission Planning: With the help of the “Point” tool, choose the start point and add it to the map. Make an adjustment in the altitude and flight speed. Always set the start point close to the take-off point and also set the safe initial altitude while concerning all the nearby obstacles. In addition to it, the landing shall be done manually. You can adjust the shooting parameters like the forward and side overlap, resolution, and turn type, by choosing the “Photogrammetry Tool”. Set AGL parameter for Terrain Following. Double click on the Shooting Area’s nodes to set its borders. Set the Return Point and place it on the map with the help of the “Point” tool. In the“Parameters” menu, click on “Show Terrain” to check the flight trajectory and length. After this, move to the next flight. Simply copy the last mission and place it in a new area. Once you select “Add Route” in the “Parameters” menu, a new route will be displayed in the top right corner of the Ugcs for DJI window. Last, but not least, always consider the drone flight time limits during the mission planning.
Magdrone R4 – Key Considerations
Overview
Magnetic and other geophysical surveys have never been quite easy. The use of heavy, exorbitant equipment in hilly and inaccessible areas has been traditionally involved. Traditionally, there were only limited options like flying a demagnetized helicopter which was expensive or walking with a ground-based magnetometer, making the entire process very slow.
Magdrone R4 has changed the Game
In the last 5 years, airborne magnetometers and specifically, Magdrone R4 has changed the game. Using a Magdrone R4 to conduct a traditional magnetic survey speed up the process by almost 5 times and is also 10 times cheaper. Unlike a helicopter, a Magdrone R4 can be flown much closer to the surface which not only ensures that the survey is conducted quickly but also makes the process more affordable. This results in higher resolution data collection.
Above all, it is only a Magdrone R4 that can offer a secure and dependable way of acquiring geophysical data even in the most inaccessible terrain.
Key Considerations:
Have a look at some of the key considerations that you should keep in mind when you conduct these surveys.
(1) Equipment: This typically involves choosing the appropriate magnetometer, drones, mobile tablets, suspension systems, and more. It is recommended to start off with the magnetometer and build a system around that.
(2) Software and Flight Parameters: The choice of flight parameters and subsequently the mission planning software is another important consideration. A mineral exploration survey is typically flown 20- 30 m above the ground level with 150-200m tie lines and 50 m flight lines. But, if you are flying a UXO survey close to the ground, these would change. Therefore, choosing a flight software that can account for this is quite important.
