If you fly a WingtraOne, you have access to Propeller's high-accuracy survey processing workflow. This 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.
Required Inputs
- One or more drone flights with at least 10 JPEG images each.
- Two GPS observation data files from each drone flight:
- FlightName WingtraOne.SBF
- FlightName.JSON
- One AeroPoint flight that has not been submitted for processing. You will complete the processing step as part of your dataset upload.
If you already processed your AeroPoint flight, duplicate it in your AeroPoints dashboard or make a copy during the data upload process to create an unprocessed copy.
Before you start
Make sure you have created a new site or know which site to add your survey data by choosing it in the dropdown menu.
Click DATA PROCESSING to +UPLOAD NEW SURVEY. Choose an existing site from the dropdown or select CREATE A NEW SITE.
Corrections
Next, select the Corrections method you want to use.
- Propeller PPK will merge your GNSS files with the Propeller Corrections Network, Known Point data, or a provided RINEX file to ensure the highest levels of accuracy.
- Choose Use my drone photos if you want to upload your drone photos, including any high accuracy geotags, if applicable.
Selecting photos for upload
The data captured during your flight is organized into folders on your SD card. Navigate to the WingtraPilotProjects folder, then the project name. The DATA and IMAGES folders are included in that folder. Drag or add the DATA and IMAGES folders to the Propeller Platform.
If you conducted multiple flights, each DATA and IMAGES folder must be added for each flight completed.
Files Validation
Your photos are scanned and validated in the following four categories. They must pass these requirements for them to be properly processed.
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.
The date and time are defaulted to the timestamp on the first uploaded picture.
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.
The number of AeroPoints you select as Ground control points vs checkpoints depends on the area and undulations covered by the survey. Typically three (preferably 5) AeroPoints as Ground control points and the remainder as checkpoints are sufficient.
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.
We recommend using either the No Filter or Equipment filter and combining this tool with Terrain Cleanups to ensure you only remove items that would affect your measurements.
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.
Summary & Upload Progress
Dataset details
Please review your dataset for accuracy before you click SUBMIT.
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.
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