A mapping platform for gyrocopters - the influence of the stabilization on data geometry

Abstract

The paper presents the experiments on the ultralight, stabilized mapping system designed for the gyrocopters (autogyros). It attempts to answer the following question: in what extent the applied stabilization solution (based on the Stewart platform) improves the quality of acquired LiDAR and photogrammetric data? The number of simulations resulting in measures of the influence of the stabilization on the point cloud density, point pattern and image overlaps has been carried out. As the input data the angular parameters of the trajectories recorded within the first test flight were utilized. Using the data, the artificial points clouds were generated. The clouds ware free of the geometric disturbances caused by such a factors as height differences of the terrain and instable flight speed. The only disturbances observed were to be caused by angular deflections that were not stabilized. Obtained results confirm that the stabilization system helps to keep the planned cloud density and overlaps of the images. However the disturbances in point pattern are caused mainly by vibrations and cannot by properly suppressed by the stabilization system. In the summary the ways of further system improvements were suggested.