LIDAR Data Capture - Best practices

This article highlights the major factors that affect the data collection with Wingtra LIDAR and how to ensure the best possible data quality.

The complete workflow on capturing data with Wingtra LIDAR can be found in the article: Capturing data with Wingtra LIDAR.

Avoid flying in adverse weather conditions such as rain or drizzle, as this can lead to poor point density and data gaps due to signal reflection.
Fog or mist can obstruct LIDAR signals, resulting in data gaps or noise points if flown above these conditions.
If on site operations are producing dust or debris these particles may be detected by the lidar and create noise in the data.
High winds can affect trajectory and data measurement intervals, causing gaps in the data.

Always ensure close proximity to the base station, ideally within 10km, for reliable data.
Record all satellite options at 1-second intervals or faster (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDOU, Galileo) for optimal performance.
If possible use RINEX 3.03 or later
Ensure the base has a good skyview, is away from obstructions such as trees and buildings, and will remain on and stable for the full duration of the flight.

Lay the drone flat on its belly to expose the GNSS antenna to the open sky for approximately 2 minutes.
Retry the GNSS signal acquisition process. If unsuccessful after several attempts, consider changing the takeoff location.
If the issue persists, try repowering the drone to reset its systems.

In hilly terrains, fly at lower altitudes (45-90m) with overlap values between 50-80%, adjusting based on terrain steepness.
Consider environmental factors during flight for optimal results.

Place checkpoints (Ground Control Points) on hard surfaces under open sky for accurate measurements.
Use the same base receiver for measuring checkpoints (Ground Control Points) to record the GNSS data during the LIDAR mapping mission whenever possible.

Utilize the Ultracharge+ to ensure maximum flight time by charging batteries efficiently.