UAV-Based High-Resolution Remote Sensing as an Innovative Monitoring Tool for Effective Crop Management
1. UAV-Based High-Resolution Remote Sensing as
an Innovative Monitoring Tool for Effective Crop
Management
Christian Knoth, Torsten Prinz
Institute for Geoinformatics, University of Muenster
Crop Resource Use Efficiency and Field Phenotyping
Grantham, Lincs, 2013-03-26
http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
2. Overview
I. Introduction
II. Quadrotor Sensor Platforms
III. Infrared Imaging
IV. Monitoring of Bog Ecosystems
V. Precision Agriculture
VI. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
2 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
3. Introduction
The ifgicopter project:
Aim: using multicopters as platforms for gathering all kinds of sensor data
• high flexibility
• VTOL (hovering)
• little operating costs
• variable spatial
and temporal resolution
3 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
4. Introduction
Fields of work:
• flight planning software
• communication framework
• accurate positioning via enhanced differential GPS (DGPS)
• creation of (infrared) remote sensing products
• analysis of climate phenomena
• …
4 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
5. Quadrotor Sensor Platforms
“Mikrokopter” “Microdrones”
(building kit) (ready-to-use product)
carries e.g. IXUS400 or carries e.g. IXUS 100IS
(NIR only, natural colour) (VIS-NIR)
autonomous navigation via GPS and flight planning software
5 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
6. Infrared Imaging
Sensor Technique:
• modified digital compact
camera
• hot mirror removed
• captures light between 400
and 1100 nm wavelength
• natural colour, NIR or CIR
images (external filter)
6 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
7. Infrared Imaging
Outcomes: colour infrared near infrared
• bog under restoration
RGB true colour CIR composite (NIR/B)
• turnip field
7 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
8. Monitoring of Bog Ecosystems
object-based classification
● waterlogged bare peat
● birch trees
(Betula pubescens)
● cotton grass
(Eriophorum vaginatum)
● sphagnum moss
(Sphagnum spec.)
● result
8 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
19. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
potential of using multicopters ?
mean NIR/Blue ratio (OBIA)
● non-invasive
● variable flight level and
ground resolution
● VTOL capability
● piloting easy to learn
● reliable
● customizable
sensors
flight equipment
interfaces
19 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
20. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
Lightweight Sensors ?
● multispectral sensors
www.tetracam.com
● 3D cameras
www.digitalkamera.de
● hyperspectral imaging sensors
● thermal imaging sensors
www.headwallphotonics.com
● …
www.thermoteknix.com
20 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
21. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
Automation of data handling and processing ?
data
acquisition
analysis of
phenotypic
traits
subsequent
crop
management
21 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
22. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
Automation of data handling and processing ?
might look like this: “Sensor Platform Framework”1
● communication with multi-
sensor equipped UAVs
● synchronizes and couples
data from different sensors
(e.g. sensor measurement +
position information)
● provides interface for
additional output plugins
1Rieke (2010): Entwicklung eines Frameworks zur Anbindung von Multi-Sensor-Plattformen an das Sensor Web
https://wiki.52north.org/bin/view/SensorWeb/SensorPlatformFramework
22 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
23. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
Automation of data handling and processing ?
might look like this: “Sensor Platform Framework”1
● communication with multi-
sensor equipped UAVs
● synchronizes and couples
data from different sensors
(e.g. sensor measurement +
position information)
● provides interface for
additional output plugins
1Rieke (2010): Entwicklung eines Frameworks zur Anbindung von Multi-Sensor-Plattformen an das Sensor Web
https://wiki.52north.org/bin/view/SensorWeb/SensorPlatformFramework
23 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
24. Perspectives for Field Phenotyping
Automation of data handling and processing ?
might look like this: Framework for automatic processing1
● automatic processing (biomass
mapping / weed detection) and
integration of results into
subsequent applications
● web-based easy access
and interoperability
● extensible
1Drerup (2012):An automatic web-based framework to integrate UAV-based data into precision farming applications
24 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
25. Conclusion
• promising means of data acquisition also for field phenotyping
• flight duration and payload is constantly being enhanced
• increasing number of applicable sensors and data
processing/management techniques
• application development needed
25 http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
26. Thank you for your kind attention!
Questions?
http://ifgicopter.uni-muenster.de
26