The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLII-4/W6, 2017

4th International GeoAdvances Workshop, 14–15 October 2017, Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

GENERATION AND ASSESSMENT OF HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL SURFACE

MODEL BY USING UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE BASED MULTICOPTER
S. Gülcia,*, T. Dindaroğlua,, R. Gündoğanb
aKahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Engineering, 46100, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
(sgulci, turgaydindaroglu@ksu.edu.tr)
bHarran University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 63300, Sanliurfa, Turkey.

(rgundogan@harran.edu.tr)

KEY WORDS: Hexacopter, Remote sensing, Air photo, Mission planner, DSM

ABSTRACT:

Unmanned air vehicle systems (UAVSs), which are presently defined as effective measuring instruments, can be used for
measurements and evaluation studies in fields. Furthermore, UAVs are effective tools that can produce high-precision and resolution
data for use in geographic information system-based work. This study examined a multicopter (hexacopter) as an air platform to seek
opportunity in generating DSM with high resolution. Flights were performed in Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Campus
area in Turkey. Pre-assessment of field works, mission, tests and installation were prepared by using a Laptop with an adaptive
ground control station. Hand remote controller unit was also linked and activated during flight to interfere with emergency situations.
Canon model IXSUS 160 was preferred as sensor. As a result of this study, as mentioned previous studies, .The orthophotos can be
produced by RGB (Red-green-blue) images obtained with UAV, herewith information on terrain topography, land cover and soil
erosion can be evaluated.

1. INTRODUCTION 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

Generating digital surface models (DSMs) by unmanned air 2.1. Study area
vehicles (UAV) and mountable systems become an appropriate
and common method for scientific assessments and also for The study was performed in Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam
engineering related works. UAV classes, the specification of University Campus area in Turkey. Land use type of the main
mounted sensors, flight height and speed may vary according to study has been preferred to use as agricultural activity. The
the aim and specific scope of the research(Watts et al., 2012; land, where has an erosion potential, has different slope classes
Wings et al., 2014; Gülci and Akay, 2016). The UAV-based (Figure 1).
studies that include before and after the flight stages,
should be well designed for the quality of produced
photogrammetric data and security (Akgül et al., 2016).

Figure1.Geographical location of the study area

This contribution has been peer-reviewed. 47

https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-4-W6-47-2017 | © Authors 2017. CC BY 4.0 License.
 The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLII-4/W6, 2017
4th International GeoAdvances Workshop, 14–15 October 2017, Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

2.2. Field Study

This study examined a multicopter (hexacopter) as an air 2.3. Image Process
platform. Canon model IXSUS 160 which sensor mounted on
Processing and analysis of images were performed with
hexacopter has a record ability on the secure digital (SD) Card
PhotoScan, which works under the base of SfM (Structure from
inside the camera, was mounted on air platform (Figure 2;3)
motion) approaches, and CloudCompare, which is an open-
(Remondino et al., 2011; Chao et al., 2016). Total of 8 ground
source interface (Figure 4) (Westboy et al.,2012; Gülci et al.,
control points were surveyed by using Global navigation
2017; Cloud, 2017). Image processing steps by PhotoScan can
satellite system (GNSS), which has almost millimeter accuracy
be summarized as 1. identification of common points and
in spatial measurements, and these points were considered as
creation of photo plane for block (alignment of photo), 2. point
reference point in geo-rectification.
cloud generation, 3. image meshing, and 4. image texture
(Agisoft, 2016). The initial options on image processing stages
Mission planner, which is an open-source interface software,
were implemented on PhotoScan as shown in Table 1.
provided flight mission to acquire block pattern. The flight
altitude was defined 100 m, and the ratio of side and forward
Process Accuracy/Quality/Mode/Method
overlaps were planned as 80% (forward) and 60% (side).
Photo alignment High
Point cloud Ultra high
Mesh High
Texture Ortophoto

Table 1. Preferred work standards in image processing

Figure 2. UAV system structure (after Chao et al., 2016)

Figure 3. Air platform (hexacopter) and preferred sensor (Canon

IXSUS 160)

(a) (b)

Figure 4. Interface views of software used in image processing. (a) Agisoft PhotoScan, (b) CloudCompare

Figure 5. Air photo samples obtained by Hexacopter.

This contribution has been peer-reviewed. 48

https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-4-W6-47-2017 | © Authors 2017. CC BY 4.0 License.
 The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLII-4/W6, 2017
4th International GeoAdvances Workshop, 14–15 October 2017, Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

Figure 6. Generated DSM and ortophoto by using UAV

3. RESULTS AND FINDINGS Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University. 66(1):
104-118. doi:10.17099/jffiu.23976
At the end of flight, total of 75 air photos were obtained from
sensor (Figure 5). The alignment of photo was completed with Bending, J, Andreas, B., Simon, B., Janis, B., Silas, E. and
considering 74817 tie points detected. Then, analysis of dense Georg, B., 2014.Estimating Biomass of Barley Using Crop
cloud point generation figured out, totally, as 40.153.034 points Surface Models (CSMs) Derived from UAV-Based RGB
(413.129 points/m2). Estimated image acquisition height was Imaging, Remote Sens. 6, pp. 10395-1041.
111 m. The resultant resolution of the DSM and orthophoto Chao, H., Jensen, A.M., Han,Y., Chen, Q.Y., McKee, M., 2016.
were 4.92 cm and 2.46 cm/pix (Table 2; Figure 6). Unmanned Aircraft Systems AggieAir: Towards Low-cost
Cooperative Multispectral Remote Sensing Using Small.
Data type Value Advances in Geoscience and Remote Sensing. Chapter 22.
Total photo 75 Editted by Gary Jedlovec www.Intechopen.com. doi:
Average flight altitude 111 m 10.5772/8333
Orthomosaic resolution 2.46 cm/pixel
Study area 96500 m2 Cloud, 2017. http://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/
Camera stations 75 index.php?title=Main_Page
Tie points 74817 d’Oleire-Oltmanns, S., Irene, M., Klaus, D.P., Johannes B.R.,
Projection 237911 2012. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Monitoring Soil
Error 0.928 pixel Erosion in Morocco. Remote Sens. 4, pp. 3390-3416.
Table 2. Block adjustment results Gülci, S., Akay, A.E., 2016. Using thermal infrared imagery
produced by unmanned air vehicles to evaluate locations of
Briefly, topographic maps with high resolution can be derived ecological road structures. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry
from the use of UAV systems. It provides convenience for Istanbul University, 66(2), pp. 698-709.
researchers by removing time and area constraints (Akgül et al.,
Gulci, S., Yurtseven, H., Akgul, M., 2017. Assessment of pre-
2016). The orthophotos can be produced by RGB (Red-green-
flight block planning for structure from motion studies using
blue) images obtained with UAV , herewith information on
micro-unmanned air vehicles. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry
terrain topography, land cover and soil erosion can be evaluated
Istanbul University 67(2): xxx-xxx. [Accapted article]
(d’Oleire-Oltmanns et al., 2012; Bendinget al., 2014; Inan and
Öztürk, 2016). İnan M., Öztürk T., 2016. Orman yollarının durumunun
değerlendirilmesinde düşük maliyetli yersel fotogrametrinin
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT kullanimi, VI. Uzaktan Algılama ve CBS Sempozyumu
(UZALCBS 2016), ADANA, TÜRKIYE, 4-7 Ekim 2016, cilt.1,
This study was conducted in the frame of 114R052 project no.1, ss.275-279.
funded by TUBITAK
Remondino, F., Barazzetti, L., Nex, F., Scaioni, M., Sarazzi, D.,
2011. UAV photogrammetry for mapping and 3d modeling–
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This contribution has been peer-reviewed. 49

https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-4-W6-47-2017 | © Authors 2017. CC BY 4.0 License.
 The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLII-4/W6, 2017
4th International GeoAdvances Workshop, 14–15 October 2017, Safranbolu, Karabuk, Turkey

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This contribution has been peer-reviewed. 50

https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-4-W6-47-2017 | © Authors 2017. CC BY 4.0 License.