Static positioning technique for ground control point determination for precise mapping using unmanned aerial system

Abstract

Mapping can be intense and laborious with the current method in term of the work environment, manpower, cost, time, and obviously, the equipment used for the work. Traditional mapping technique uses photogrammetry, total station and GPS. The level for detailing and levelling is not convincing fast enough to catch up with the revolution of the world. However, aerial photogrammetry had been introduced to improve the mapping method in terms of accuracy, work done and speed. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is the latest realization of aerial photogrammetry to the mapping world. This technique is capable of mapping large area compared to conventional technique of mapping in short time with less work and effort, while the accuracy is maintained. This paper highlights the capability of UAS to replace the conventional technique of mapping. To test the accuracy of this product, the technique used in determining the ground control point (GCP) is studied. The accuracy of GPS plays big impact in the accuracy of the map produced, due to its role in establishing the GCP for the map. In this study, the conventional technique in determining the GCP is hereby replaced with better technique to produced better accuracy. The technique of GPS observation used is static with network processing which is never been used before in UAS. The concept here is the accuracy of map is improved by improving the accuracy of GCP. Furthermore the technique of GPS observation determined the accuracy of GCP. This paper, presents a new procedure using UAS for precise mapping and this method is expected to replace the conventional technique of producing topographic map.