Capabilities of low cost and fast image acquisition using micro fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle system

Abstract

Fast image acquisition is most important part for societal impact of a developing country. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential use of micro fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system attached with high resolution digital camera for coastal mapping. In this study, a strip of aerial images of simulation models of coastal area was captured using a high resolution compact digital camera known as Canon Power Shot SX230 HS and it has 12 megapixel image resolution. The low cost supplying of micro fixed wing UAV can be used in various applications including mapping coastal area. The UAV equipped with an autopilot system and automatic method known as autonomous flying, can be utilized for data acquisition. In this study, the UAV system has been employed to acquire aerial images of a simulation model at low altitude. From the aerial images, photogrammetric image processing method is completed to produce mapping outputs such a digital terrain model (DTM), contour line and orthophoto. In term of the accuracy, of measurement, a milimeter-level is reached by ground control point (GCP) and check point (CP) using conventional ground surveying method (i.e accurate Global Positioning System (GPS)). For accuracy assessment, the coordinates of the selected points in the 3D of stereomodel were compared to the conjugate points observed using GPS and the root mean square error (RMSE) is computed. From this study, the results showed that the achievable RMSE are ± 0.018m, ± 0.013m and ± 0.034m for coordinates X, Y and Z respectively. It will anticipate that the UAV will be used for coastal survey and improve current method of producing with low cost, fast and good accuracy. Finally, the UAV has shown great potential to be used for coastal mapping and others applications that require accurate results or products using high resolution camera.