OSU UAS Demonstration

GVF Living Laboratory

March 2018

Mounted with different sensors, unmanned aircraft provide an efficient and cost-effective flight platform for geospatial data acquisition for environmental assessment. Its flexibility allows us to capture geospatial information with sufficient spatial and temporal resolutions at a low cost. In terms of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and productivity in geospatial data acquisition, the UAS-based solutions fill the large gap between the solutions based on manned aircraft and ground-based solutions. UAS-based solutions have a high potential for acquiring geospatial data for precision forage data. The data acquired during the GVF Living Laboratory (GVF LL) demonstration provides an example of the usefulness of GVF LL's mission.

A primary need is developing a turnkey UAS-based solution for multispectral remote sensing data acquisition, processing and product delivery. The heart of such a UAS-based sensing platform includes; 1) a set of sensors mounted on the flight platform; 2) various software packages for processing the raw sensor data; and 3) a set of visualization tools for optimally presenting the collected data and for assisting in understanding complex relationships. The implementation of a UAS-based sensing platform requires a multi-disciplinary approach that needs expertise in geospatial information science and computer science. Integrating the multispectral camera to the platform is an essential part of the sensing platform.

The OSU demonstration team included Taylor Mitchell and Fred Keating, USRI research engineers, as well as graduate students Victoria Natalie and Seabrook Whyte. Taylor has expertise in environmental monitoring while Victoria is an expert in photogrammetry and geospatial data analysis. Platforms included a Skyhunter fixed wing UAS with a custom payload and sensor suite, a weather sensing UAS for boundary layer measurements, and standard COTS platforms for imaging.

UAS Imagery and Demonstration Pictures

March 2018