If you plan missions and fly with a Quantum Trinity F90+ drone, you can access 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.
Note: If you want to process data with our standard dataset workflow, follow our How to Create a New Dataset article for instructions.
Required Inputs
1. One or more drone flights with at least 10 JPEG images each.
2. Two GPS observation data files from each drone flight:
- FLY_<flightnumber>.ubx
- FLY_<flightnumber>__PayloadTagging.prop
3. 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, you need to duplicate it in your AeroPoints dashboard to produce an unprocessed copy.
Before you start
Geotagging with QBase 3D
In most cases, if you use the Trinity F90+ PPK drone with Propeller AeroPoints, you do not need to use QBase 3D to geotag your images before uploading. You could proceed with Propeller’s PPK workflow.
However, there are some situations where you would geotag images using Qbase 3D, including:
- You do not use AeroPoints.
- You have your own base station.
- You have only AeroPoint 1s and are not within the Propeller Corrections Network (PCN).
- You have only AeroPoint 1s and are on a local grid site.
Please discuss other situations with your assigned customer success engineer or Quantum Support.
Data Upload
Make sure you have created a new site or know which site you want to add your survey to by choosing it in the dropdown menu.
Selecting photos for upload
Access the SD card to download the drone flight data.
The Trinity F90+ saves flight information in a Fly_FlightNumber.bin file. This file is used in Qbase 3D to generate the .prop and .ubx files needed for PPK processing in Propeller. Connect the drone to your computer using QBase 3D and the provided USB cable to download these files.
Images are saved on the payload’s SD card and can be downloaded directly from the card by plugging it into your computer. It’s recommended that you save the images and flight information files in the same folder, as shown below.
Generating PPK Files in QBase 3D
The following video shows the steps to generate the .prop and .ubx files using QBase 3D.
Choose your drone flight data by dragging and dropping each flight onto your browser.
Alternatively, you can select a folder containing all your flight folders by clicking “Choose a folder.”
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.
Image upload and validation
Your photos are scanned and validated in the following four categories. For them to be properly processed, they must pass these requirements.
|
Your file collection |
|
Your drone |
|
Individual images |
|
PPK files |
| Minimum 10 images | Drone camera is recommended | Compatible geotag | Files have the required metadata | |||
| Same aspect ratio | PPK drone is registered | Aspect ratio | Files must be unique | |||
| Camera course alignment | Motion blur | |||||
| Single connected area | ISO | |||||
| File name less than 255 characters | ||||||
| Minimum 8 megapixels | ||||||
| Files above size limit (75KB) |
Once the selected files have been validated, a map appears with the location of your photos and survey area.
If any issues are detected with your submission, you will receive a warning with recommendations for proceeding.
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 place each survey chronologically on the Timeline View feature. Click NEXT.
The date and time will default to the timestamp on the first uploaded picture.
Adding AeroPoint survey data
Next, submit an AeroPoint survey. You can choose between two options:
-
AeroPoints, or
-
AeroPoints and a .csv file
If you add 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.
In order to submit PPK data, you must select an unprocessed AeroPoint survey from your AeroPoint captures.
Select processing method
There are a few ways to process data.
1. Propeller Corrections Network
This method uses the Propeller Corrections Network to obtain globally accurate coordinates.
From the dropdown, assign each AeroPoint in your survey as a Ground control point or checkpoint. You can also exclude it from your survey.
The number of AeroPoints you select as ground control points versus checkpoints depends on the area and undulations covered by the survey. Typically, three AeroPoints (preferably 5) as ground control points and the remainder as checkpoints are sufficient.
2. Global Survey Benchmark
You will select an AeroPoint with a known location and enter its coordinates here. If you used the known point benchmark method 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.
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.
1. Dataset details
General information about the dataset you are submitting, including:
- Site name
- Date and time flown
- Total gigapixels and photos
- Type of upload
2. Corrections
Select the Corrections method you want to use for you upload.
3. Ground control
- Type and number of GCPs and checkpoints
4. Processing outputs
- Files included in the platform
- Downloadable files
5. 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.
6. Dataset credits
Total number of credits used to process your data.
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, you can connect with our support team by clicking the support button on the top right corner of your user portal.
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