If you experience issues executing a Stand Count mission, use this guide to verify your setup and resolve common flight or processing errors.
First, verify the setup
Ensure you meet these requirements before heading to the field:
Storage Space: Your iOS device must have at least 10 GB of free storage. Insufficient space causes app crashes and low performance.
Power Cycle: Power down the drone and remote (or device), then power them back on while in the field.
App Refresh: Force close the DroneDeploy app and any other open applications. Ensure DroneDeploy is the only app running.
Internet Connection: Connect to the internet to fetch the latest settings before starting your mission.
Test Workflow
Run this simple workflow to confirm your setup is working correctly before starting a full field mission.
Create a Test Project: Start a new project in your current area.
Plan a Default Mission: Use a 20-acre, rectangular default plan.
Optimize Settings: Ensure the mission requires only one battery. Disable Terrain Awareness and Obstacle Avoidance in Advanced settings.
Confirm Connectivity: Ensure you have a stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection. If you are offline, download the project for offline use.
Perform a Manual Test: Take off in the DJI app and capture a few photos to confirm the hardware functions correctly.
Flying the Drone
- If the cellular/wifi connection is spotty at the field, we would recommend using Airplane mode on your iOS device. If the connection is stable, we recommend being online for the flight.
- Load the Project you are flying on the DroneDeploy app.
- Power on your drone and controller.
- Connect the controller to the iOS device via an Apple USB cable.
- Enter the manual flight view and confirm that satellite connection (GPS), Airlink strength (the transmitter + HD icon), and battery levels are all high.
- In manual flight, take a photo in the DroneDeploy app with the capture button. Confirm that the number increments by 1 in the DroneDeploy app.
- Exit the manual flight view and select the simple Crop Report plan created above.
- Enter and pass the pre-flight checklist.
- Start Flight.
- During the flight, monitor the Airlink strength (the transmitter + HD icon) and confirm that it is high throughout the entire flight.
- You should see the image count increment at each capture location. Ensure you are not entering commands into the physical controller during the flight.
- Allow the drone to land automatically.
- Once the drone lands automatically, it should have transferred all images during flight. If more images need to be transferred, the screen should automatically display, and you should allow that to happen without powering off the drone/remote/or DroneDeploy app.
- Once the DroneDeploy app switches over to the Explore Tab, the flight is finished, and the drone and remote can be safely powered down/disconnected.
Analysis
- At this point, the image markers should be visible on the Explore Tab.
- Any counts that are still processing will be indicated by an icon with 2 arrows and a % progress showing in the sidebar next to Stand Count. Make sure you do NOT leave the app while images are processing.
- Try tapping individual image points - the image should load successfully for viewing.
- Generate the Crop Report and save it to your local files just in case.
Uploading Data to DroneDeploy.com
- Connect your iOS device to a strong and stable cellular or wifi connection.
- Leave the DroneDeploy app open and on-screen (foregrounded) until the blue dot in the sidebar disappears.
- Once the blue dot disappears, all stand count data should be synced and ready for viewing on DroneDeploy.com.
Specific Issues and Resolutions
Below, we've outlined the top issues experienced by our user base with some tips and recommendations to overcome them. Please ensure you have verified your setup prior to trying these recommendations.
Drone Took Off and Hovered
- Verify Setup
- If able, disable obstacle avoidance and try again.
Drone Missed Capturing Some Images
- Verify Setup
- Verify that a chained mission was not attempted, which will reduce the chances of success.
- Ensure storage location is set to SD card and not onboard storage for the drone.
- Use a higher area per image setting for the stand assessment plan if possible to give more time between photo capture locations.
- Slow down the capture speed in advanced settings to give more time between photo capture locations.
- There is a likelihood that the DJI SDK was locked up, causing missed images. Your drone and controller must be power cycled before trying again. Once power cycled, we would also recommend force-closing the DroneDeploy app and re-opening it.
Images Captured but do not transfer
- Verify Setup
- Verify that a chained mission was not attempted, which will reduce the chances of success.
- The likely cause is that the Airlink signal was not good enough during the flight to download the images during flight. The pilot should ensure they maintain a good signal for the next flight.
- Try force-closing the DroneDeploy app and reopening it to check if any data has recovered.
Data Points were Visible but Later Disappeared
- Verify Setup
- Verify that a chained mission was not attempted, which will reduce the chances of success.
- Try force-closing the DroneDeploy app and reopening it. Check to see if any project data has been recovered. Ensure this is done when the iOS device is connected to a strong, stable cellular or WIFI connection.
- Leave the DroneDeploy app open on the individual project page and connect to a strong WIFI or cellular connection for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes have passed, force close the DroneDeploy app and reopen it. Check to see if any project data has been recovered.
- If experiencing ongoing trouble with this issue, we recommend you save your reports immediately after the flight to your file system so as to never lose a report.
Data is not uploading
- Verify Setup
- Verify that a chained mission was not attempted, which will reduce the chances of success.
- Try force-closing the DroneDeploy app and reopening it. Check to see if any project data has been recovered. Ensure this is done when the iOS device is connected to a strong, stable cellular or WIFI connection.
- Leave the DroneDeploy app open on the individual project page and connect to a strong WIFI or cellular connection for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes have passed, force close the DroneDeploy app and reopen it. Check to see if any project data has been recovered.
Stand Count Data Seems Too Low
- Confirm crop is V2 or V3 emergence.
- Review individual images to look for problems such as weeds.
- Verify the gap and row spacing entered. You may consider updating and reprocessing the count if needed.
Reprocessing Stand Counts on Mobile
In the event you wish to update the row spacing or gap, select the three dots next to the Stand Count. Choose Reprocess. You'll be presented with options for the crop, and then you can reprocess the count data with those new parameters.
*Note: This can only be done if the images are still available on the device. Images are available for 7 days after the flight unless the user signs out or deletes the DroneDeploy app.
Long Stand Count Processing Time
Stand count processing should occur in minutes. If you see that your stand count data is taking longer to process, it is likely that an error has occurred. Here are some of the most common:
1. Mission flew too close to the ground. The default stand count altitude of 50 feet generally does not need to be edited. Flying too close to the crop can cause issues with processing.
2. Twin-row crops located in images.
Limitations
Battery Life: Stand Count missions must be limited to a single battery.
Waypoint Limits: Keep missions to 50 waypoints or fewer for optimal stability.
Data Retention: Images are available on the device for 7 days unless you sign out or delete the app.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to upload data to DroneDeploy.com immediately?
A: No. Uploading data to the website is an optional step for viewing on a desktop. Processing happens locally on your mobile device.
Q: Why is my processing taking so long?
A: This usually happens if the mission was flown too low (below 50 feet) or if the field contains twin-row crops that confuse the detection algorithm.
Q: What if my data disappears?
A: Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi connection and leave the app open in the foreground for 20 minutes to allow the database to sync.
V2.2