How to Upload & Process WingtraOne & WingtraRAY PPK Data in Propeller

This article guides WingtraOne & WingtraRAY users through the process of uploading and processing survey data using Propeller's high-accuracy PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic) workflow. This workflow handles both the PPK correction of your drone's GPS observations and the processing of your images to create a 3D model of your site.

If you are looking to process data using our standard dataset workflow (non-PPK), please refer to our article on How to create a standard survey (non-PPK) dataset. For DJI RTK drone users, step-by-step upload instructions can be found here.

What you need

To successfully process your Wingtra drone PPK data, you'll need the following:

• Drone Flights: One or more flights with your WingtraOne or WingtraRAY drone, with a minimum of 10 JPEG images from each flight.
• GPS Observation Data: For each drone flight, you'll need two GPS observation data files:
  • FlightName WingtraOne.SBF

  • FlightName.JSON

    ℹ️ Note: Both WingtraOne and WingtraRAY drones will produce .SBF files with the naming convention 'FlightName WingtraOne.SBF'

• AeroPoint Data: One AeroPoint flight that has not been submitted for processing. You will complete the processing step as part of the dataset upload process. If your AeroPoint flight has already been processed, you can either duplicate it in your AeroPoints dashboard or make a copy during the data upload process to create an unprocessed version.

Before you begin

• Ensure you have either created a new site or identified the existing site to which you want to add your survey data in the Propeller Platform.
• Click the UPLOAD button and select Surveys.
• Under the PROCESSING section, choose Photogrammetry.

Corrections method

Next, you will select your preferred Corrections method.

• Propeller PPK: This method merges your GNSS files with the Propeller Corrections Network, Known Point data, or a provided RINEX file to ensure the highest levels of accuracy.
• Use my drone photos: Select this option if you want to upload your drone photos, including any high-accuracy geotags if applicable.

Selecting photos for upload

Your flight data is organized into folders on your SD card.

1. Navigate to the WingtraPilotProjects folder.
2. Open the folder corresponding to your project name. Inside, you'll find the DATA and IMAGES folders.
3. Drag or add both the DATA and IMAGES folders to the Propeller Platform.
4. If you conducted multiple flights, you must add the respective DATA and IMAGES folders for each flight.

Files validation

Your photos undergo a validation process across four categories to ensure proper processing.

• Your file collection
• Your sensor
• Individual images
• PPK files

For more information on these validations, please see our best practices for drone surveying. 

Once the selected files have been validated, a map will appear with the location of your photos and survey area. 

When all photos are displayed as expected, click NEXT to proceed.

Dataset details

Set the dataset name and capture date. Adding the capture date and time will chronologically place each survey on the Timeline View feature. Click NEXT.

Adding AeroPoint survey data

Next, you will submit an AeroPoint survey. You can choose two options:

• AeroPoints, or
• AeroPoints and a .csv file

If you are adding a survey to an existing site, the site’s coordinate reference system will be displayed here.

Choose the AeroPoint survey from the list of available AeroPoint captures.

To submit PPK data, you must select an unprocessed AeroPoint survey from your AeroPoint captures. 

Those outlined in red are already processed, but they can be duplicated if selected.

Ways to process data

1. Propeller Corrections Network

This method uses the Propeller Corrections Network to obtain globally accurate coordinates.

Submitted ground control & checkpoints using the Propeller Corrections Network

From the dropdown, assign each AeroPoint in your survey as either a Ground Control Point or Checkpoint. You can also exclude it from your survey. 

2. Known point method

Here, you will select an AeroPoint with a known location and enter its coordinates. In these screen captures, we are uploading to a site based on a published coordinate system, so we use the Global Survey Benchmark method. If you are uploading to a site based on a local grid calibration, you will use the Local Survey Benchmark method. If you use a known point to process your AeroPoint survey, be sure it is selected as a ground control point unless it is not in the survey area.

3. RINEX upload

This method uses RINEX GNSS observation data from a base station within 40 km that covers the time period of the survey.

To learn more, check out our On-demand training videos.

Comments about your GCPs

This is an optional box where you can provide more information regarding your GCPs to our Data Team. For example, it’s helpful to know if anything unusual happened during your survey such as the AeroPoint was accidentally moved or destroyed during capture.

Outputs 

Elevation model filter

Elevation model filters remove undesired artifacts such as trees, buildings, equipment, and vehicles from the digital elevation model output. 

You can select No filter or from the other available filter settings as part of the output configuration.

Configure outputs

This is a list of the output files that will be produced as part of the final dataset. Files can be found on the Platform and downloaded from the Viewer.

If you conducted a 3D mission, you can also turn on Vertical Face Imagery (VFI).

Please note that providing oblique images to create Vertical Face Imagery is highly recommended for a better result.

Summary & upload progress

Dataset details

General information about the dataset you are submitting, including:

• Site name
• Date & time flown
• Total gigapixels and photos
• Type of upload

Ground control

Type and number of GCPs and checkpoints.

Processing outputs

• Files included in the platform
• Downloadable files

Quality assurance settings

This guides how many QA checks are made on your survey. Generally, the stricter the chosen QA, the longer the turnaround time.

Dataset credits

• Total number of credits used to process your data

Progress

Once submitted, you can track the progress of the upload of your files. Do not close the window or navigate away from this page; your upload will be canceled.

If your internet connection is interrupted, a message will be displayed below. Leave your browser window open and your computer running, and the upload will automatically resume when possible.

Complete!

Once your files have completed uploading, you will see the page below. It is now safe to navigate away from the page. Alternatively, use the buttons to access the Viewer or create another dataset.

Once processing has been completed, an email will be sent to all Propeller users with view permission on your selected site.

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller hardware support team may be able to help. You can contact our support team by emailing hardwaresupport@propelleraero.com.au.