Applanix recently announced two significant enhancements included in the latest release of its POSPac post-processing software that greatly benefit the process of mapping or surveying with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The announcements were made on September 17^th at INTERGEO 2019, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics, and land management.

The first software enhancement adds UAV support for POSPac Trimble Post-Processed CenterPoint^® RTX™ correction services (or POSPac PP-RTX) when flying within the Trimble RTX™ Fast service regions. This subscription-based service generates highly accurate geospatial data within centimeter-level accuracy, while freeing surveyors from the constraints of erecting base stations or waiting on CORS network data. Minimal initialization times and expedient data output makes POSPac PP-RTX an ideal choice for short duration trajectories flown with a UAV.

The update also introduced LiDAR Quality Control (LiDAR QC) Tools for UAVs, a new software module specifically designed to refine the accuracy of LiDAR point cloud data collected with UAVs using: Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) boresight calibration and trajectory adjustment. These two new functions guarantee higher accuracy and higher quality results, while streamlining project set-up and in-field processes in a simple and cost-effective manner. Any project’s workflow can easily be augmented to include either functionality by using POSPac’s convenient GUI, or through its quick batch-processing mode.

Both software enhancements aim to simplify surveying logistics and lower project costs through task automation, without having to sacrifice high-level accuracy. Applanix’ latest POSPac release – and combined solution with the Trimble APX board sets – directly meets the challenge posed by a UAV’s short flight endurance: to collect, manage, and process all types of complex data in a short span of time, with a reduction in invested manpower.

The result affords surveyors the flexibility to meet multiple project objectives in a variety of applications – as proven by the growing demand for drones in emerging industries, such as agriculture, emergency response, and construction. When done effectively, surveying with a UAV can replace some of the world’s most difficult or demanding jobs, which pose occupational health and safety risks; it is part of a more holistic approach to creating sustainable solutions that help improve our communities’ quality of life.