Test Range For UAV-Based Geophysical Sensors

Abstract

Summary The idea of using UAV (unmanned area vehicles, drones) to carry appropriate sensors to locate underground objects and utilities seems obvious. However, industry players lack strong experience and knowledge about the capabilities of airborne sensors, or information about the limitations of sensors combining with UAV. Another important point is the methodological aspects of airborne sensors application — how to plan UAV flights, data processing, expected precision of localization, etc. To fill the gaps, we at SPH Engineering built a test range with buried utilities (pipes) of different diameter, material and depth, as well as other objects, and conducted extensive tests of different available sensors over known targets.