An in-depth look at a unique forestry project featuring lidar-derived forest biomass data products. Led by Merrick and Co and supported by the Galaxy G2 Sensor System, this project features unsurpassed data collection efficiency in restricted airspace limitations. We look forward to sharing details of Merrick's innovative approach resulting in the enablement of flood hazard mitigation and preparedness, conservation planning and various biomass related forest products.

1. The Forest and the Trees
Enhanced Resolution and Efficiency featuring
Galaxy G2 Sensor System
Matt Bethel
Merrick & Company
Director of Operations and Technology
Malek Singer
Teledyne Optech
Product Manager, Airborne

2. What is the Galaxy?
Compact, all terrain sensor that leverages unique, high-productivity
features for maximum collection efficiency.
• 100% effective pulse rate
• Programmable FOV
• Built-in Swath Compensation
• Excellent small target detection
• Upgradable

3. TRUE 4 million points/second on the ground
• SPL-grade point density
• Unequalled single-pass point densities
Forward/backward look angle
• Modifiable pitch of 2.5 or 7 degrees
• Excellent vertical target detection
Highest productivity
• Same altitude, double the density
• Double the altitude/FOV, maintain the density
• Maintain SwathTRAK and PulseTRAK benefits
G2 scan pattern
Why the G2 Sensor System?

4. Unique versatility: dual sensor or 2 singles
• Use 2 × T2000 as a G2 for one project, or separately for increased capacity
• Establish partnerships with single Galaxy owners
Single aircraft portal, single workflow
• Installed in standard aircraft portal
• Same/single Planning, Operations
and Processing workflow
Why the G2 Sensor System?
G2
High res forest mapping
QL1, mountains
40 pt/m2, wires
T2000
T2000

5. • Project Background
• Merrick & Co Project
• Terrain
• Landcover
• Airspace Restrictions & G2 advantage
• Installation
• Flight parameters
• Products
• Highlights
• Ground Density
• Foliage Penetration
• Vegetation Density
• Accuracy
• Summary
Agenda

6. Merrick-Surdex JV Project
• Location: 4 AOIs in Arizona
• Requirement: USGS QL1
• Deliverables: lidar-derived forest biomass indicators
Project Background

7. Terrain

8. Landcover

9. From the Ground

10. Special Use Airspace

11. 0.00
50.00
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300.00
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500.00
Flight
Hours
Flight Hours Comparison Between Single Prime and Prime G2
Single Prime Flight Hours
Prime G2 Flight Hours
Flight Hours Comparison between Single Prime and Prime G2

12. Installation (G2 in Cessna 414A)

13. • AGL: 2,259 m
• Groundspeed: 170 knots
• PRF: 400 kHz per each Galaxy Prime (800 kHz total)
• Sidelap: 55%
• Field of View: 38°
• Planned Dual Point Density at nadir: 10 ppsm
• SwathTRAK: On
• Roll Compensation: On
• Boost Mode: On
Flight Parameters

14. Products

15. Required Deliverables
• Canopy Height Model (CHM)
from FUSION
• Density rasters and
distribution charts based on:
• Last returns
• All ground
• Ground only within tree
canopy polygons
• Vegetation only
Additional Products
• Classified Points
• Ground
• Low vegetation
• Medium vegetation
• High vegetation
• Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
based on ground classified points
• Tree Canopy Polygons
• Tree Crown Points

19. Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

20. Tree Canopy Polygons

21. Tree Crown Points

22. Canopy Height Model (from FUSION)

23. Collection Accuracy

24. Voronoi Density of Last Return Points, All Classes

25. Voronoi Density of Last Return Points, All Classes

26. Ground Density

27. Voronoi Ground Density

28. Voronoi Density of Ground Class Points

29. Ground Density
Below Vegetation

30. Voronoi Ground Density Underneath Trees

31. Tree polygon mean values created from ground only class Voronoi density raster clipped by extracted tree polygons
FOPEN Ground Density

32. Vegetation Density

33. Densities <4ppsm excluded to prevent improper
low density connectivities between trees
Voronoi Vegetation Density

34. Densities <4ppsm excluded to prevent improper
low density connectivities between trees
Voronoi 2D Density of Vegetation Classes

35. Relative Accuracy

36. Flight Line Vertical Separation/Delta Z Raster

38. Absolute Accuracy

39. Requirement: ASPRS Vertical Standard for Digital Elevation Data
Accuracy: 4.8cm RMSE

40. FOLIAGE PENETRATION
VERTICAL FEATURE
FIDELITY
COLLECTION EFFICIENCY
0.00
100.00
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400.00
500.00
Flight
Hours
Flight Hours Comparison Between
Single Prime and Prime G2
Single Prime Flight Hours Prime G2 Flight Hours
G2 is moving the needle when it come to

41. Always cloudy
Mountainous
Dense forests
PROFILE VIEW
Forest: 170 points/m2
BOTTOM VIEW
Ground: 20 points/m2
British Columbia, Canada

42. Thank you!
Questions?