LiDAR Drone Survey: Absolute Terrain Precision
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What is LiDAR?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an active remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances with millimetric precision. When mounted on a drone, it captures millions of 3D points per second, creating an incredibly detailed representation of the terrain and everything on it.
Unlike photogrammetry which depends on sunlight and visible surfaces, LiDAR is an active sensor that works day or night and—critically—can penetrate vegetation to map the true ground surface beneath.
How LiDAR Works
- Laser Pulse Emission
The sensor emits thousands of laser pulses per second toward the ground surface.
- Return Measurement
A receiver measures the exact time for each pulse to return. With the speed of light known, distance is calculated with centimeter precision.
- Multiple Returns
Each pulse can generate multiple returns—the first from a tree canopy, intermediate returns from branches, and the last from the ground. This enables vegetation penetration.
- Georeferencing
Combining range data with precise GPS positioning and inertial measurement (IMU), we calculate the exact X, Y, Z coordinate of every point.
Key Applications
- Civil Engineering: High-precision DTM for road, railway, and earthwork design in vegetated areas
- Hydrology: Detailed watershed mapping, floodplain delineation, river channel surveys
- Mining: Stockpile volume calculations, pit progression monitoring
- Transmission Lines: Corridor mapping, vegetation encroachment analysis, catenary modeling
- Forestry: Canopy height models, biomass estimation, inventory
- Archaeology: Detecting structures hidden under jungle canopy
LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry
| Feature | LiDAR | Photogrammetry |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation penetration | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Cannot penetrate |
| Lighting conditions | ✅ Day or night | ❌ Daylight only |
| Vertical accuracy | 3-5 cm typical | 5-10 cm typical |
| Color imagery | Optional (RGB camera) | ✅ Full color |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Forested/complex terrain | Open areas, visual mapping |
Deliverables
- Classified Point Cloud (.LAS) - Ground, vegetation, buildings classified per ASPRS standards
- Digital Terrain Model (DTM) - Bare-earth surface, vegetation removed
- Digital Surface Model (DSM) - Top of all features including vegetation and structures
- Contour Lines - User-specified interval, CAD-ready format
- Intensity Images - Grayscale imagery from laser reflectance
- Technical Report - Flight parameters, accuracy assessment, metadata
Why Choose Cartomex for LiDAR?
- Engineering-Grade Accuracy: We establish ground control points with RTK GPS for verified precision
- Expert Classification: Proper ground point classification is critical—we don't rely solely on automated algorithms
- Vegetation Expertise: We specialize in obtaining clean ground models in Mexico's challenging terrain
- Fast Turnaround: Proposal within 1 hour, typical delivery 7-10 days for processed data
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between LiDAR and photogrammetry?
LiDAR is an active sensor that works day or night and penetrates vegetation to map the ground beneath. Photogrammetry uses photos and requires good lighting but cannot see through trees. LiDAR provides superior vertical accuracy, especially in forested areas.
What accuracy can LiDAR achieve?
With proper ground control, we typically achieve 3-5 cm vertical accuracy and 5-10 cm horizontal accuracy. This meets or exceeds requirements for most engineering applications.
Can LiDAR map through dense vegetation?
Yes, this is LiDAR's key advantage. The laser pulses penetrate through gaps in the canopy, and we record multiple returns per pulse. We can classify ground points and generate a true Digital Terrain Model (DTM) even under heavy vegetation.
How large an area can you survey?
A single drone flight covers approximately 50-100 hectares depending on terrain and required point density. For larger projects, we plan multiple flights over several days. We've completed surveys of thousands of hectares.