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AutoDrone - Use of Autonomously Operated Drone Technology in Forest Inventory

Authors:
Robert Richter
Christopher Dunkel
Oliver Michler

Keywords: Forest Inventory Monitoring; Wireless Sensor Network; Ultrawideband; GNSS Independent Localization; Drone

Abstract:
This paper describes the engineering solution of a system control technology for drones with the goal of autonomous drone flight on or over machine trails, skid trails, forest roads and similar line-like path in forest stands. The overall non-functional requirement here is for non-satellite positioning of the drone in real time based on a radio sensor network. The available open space above the line structures under the canopy of trees is used as the flight envelope. The problems of inaccurate satellite-based positioning inside the forestry environment are compensated primarily by the use of Wireless Sensor Networks for positioning. The goal is a valid recording of tree parameters and the creation of a digital map within the tree population. The control system of the drone is based on fused data from Wireless Sensor Networks, intertial sensors, satellite-based systems and visual position estimation. Our drone is thus able to automatically fly over freely selectable areas within the path without satellite-based positioning and thus fulfills the prerequisite for recording the tree parameters using suitable sensors. The practical application of this approach in the forest is presented and discussed.

Pages: 50 to 55

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2022

Publication date: July 24, 2022

Published in: conference

ISBN: 978-1-68558-021-6

Location: Nice, France

Dates: from July 24, 2022 to July 28, 2022