At DroneDeploy, we believe in providing helpful and accessible information to help you achieve the best results. This guide explores the core principles for selecting the most effective high-accuracy workflow for your drone mapping projects. Whether you are performing a topographic survey or tracking site progress, understanding these workflows ensures your data is clear and accurate.
Guiding Considerations
When selecting a workflow, consider your audience and the project requirements. Ask yourself these questions to determine the necessary level of accuracy:
Project Requirements: Does the use case require strict tolerances for an Engineer of Record, or is it for general volume calculations?
Site Dimensions: Larger sites may benefit from a wider distribution of Ground Control Points (GCPs).
Drone Capabilities: We recommend a drone with at least a 20 megapixel (MP) camera. The Mavic 3 Enterprise is the recommended drone for high-accuracy missions.
Correction Options: Determine if your project will use Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) or Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) corrections.
Workflow Options
GCPs + RTK/PPK + Checkpoints (Ultra-High Accuracy) This workflow is ideal for projects requiring exceptional precision. It utilizes a combination of GCPs, RTK/PPK for corrections, and checkpoints for verification.
Place a sufficient number of GCPs throughout the site.
Use RTK or PPK for real-time or post-processed corrections.
Include checkpoints to verify the accuracy of the final map.
GCPs + Checkpoints (High Accuracy, No RTK/PPK) This is the preferred workflow when the drone lacks RTK/PPK capabilities.
Place GCPs across the entire site following strict best practices.
Include checkpoints to validate the X, Y, and Z coordinates.
Ensure the number of GCPs is sufficient to maintain high accuracy across the mapping area.
Single GCP + RTK/PPK + Checkpoints (High Accuracy, High Efficiency) Ideal for mid-sized sites where extensive GCP placement is impractical.
The workflow delivers high accuracy in X and Y coordinates.
A single GCP provides corrections for the Z-axis (elevation).
Use a manual calibration to a known point to ensure vertical accuracy.
RTK/PPK Only (Unvalidated Accuracy) This method offers operational convenience but does not include independent validation.
DroneDeploy uses an automatic map calibration method to reduce error along the Z-axis.
This method eliminates the need for manual elevation calibration.
For the best results, use checkpoints to measure accuracy in the X and Y-axis.
Key Features
Precision: Achieve sub-0.5 inch accuracy when following best practices.
Flexibility: Choose workflows based on your specific hardware, such as the Mavic 3 Enterprise or other RTK-enabled drones.
Verification: Use checkpoints to build trust in your data accuracy.
Further Reading
FAQs
Q: Does DroneDeploy support both RTK and PPK?
A: Yes. DroneDeploy supports various high-accuracy workflows including RTK and PPK depending on your hardware.
Q: Should I use the metric or imperial system for accuracy reports?
A: You can use either, but ensure consistency across your project settings.
Q: How do I contact the team for more help?
A: Please reach out to our Support team or your Customer Success Manager for further guidance.
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