A comparative study of modern UAV platform for topographic mapping

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has emerged as latest and widely used surveying equipment worldwide for topographic mapping. There has been a growing increased in number and type of UAV platform for image capturing. This research aims at analysing the effects of UAV platform on image quality and further on its output products like orthomosaic, Digital Surface Model (DSM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and contours. For this study, part of the main campus area of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has been selected, covering around 0.52 sq. km. Two different types of UAV surveying platforms used are eBee classic fixed wing (eBee) and DJI Phantom 4 Advanced (P4) multirotor quadcopter. Surveying through both the platforms conducted by flying both UAV's on 300 meters height, with 75%, front and 75% side overlap. Both have almost identical camera parameters so as ground sampling distance (GSD). 8 ground control points (GCPs) for image processing and 15 checkpoints (CP) were used for accuracy assessment. Final processing is done by using Pix4D software. The results show that all the UAV output were successfully produced for both type of UAVs. In general, the output of P4 UAV is superior to eBee UAV. As conclusion, the P4 UAV is more practical to be employed for topographic map of small area coverage as shown in this study due to capability of producing accurate result, portable, low cost and offer other advantages.