Postgraduate Course: Near-ground Earth Observations: new platforms and sensors (PGGE11215)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course will provide an introduction to cutting edge environmental monitoring and spatial sampling platforms (small fixed- and rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs) weighing « 20kg) and the latest instruments (RGB, multispectral and thermal cameras, spectrometers, and ranging systems). Advanced GIS and EO analytical methods for both commercial and scientific applications will be introduced. This course will build on the FRS course and complement the Hyperspectral MSc course currently being taught.
The combined civil and military market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is estimated to have exceeded $7 billion in 2013 with over 8% of this non-military use. This combined market is expected to increase to over $8 billion by 2018 with the non-military component rising to in excess of 25% of the total by this time (MarketandMarket UAV Market Report (2013 2018) Sept. 2014). The non-military use of these platforms has been categorised as: inspection/surveillance; mapping/surveying; film/photo/video; public safety/first responders; ecosystems and regulation, and precision agriculture, to which can be added rapidly advancing science use. The use of sUAV to acquire data for precision agriculture, in particular, is expected to expand greatly in the coming years (Drone Analysis Sept. 2014).
In each of these sectors, possibly with the exception of films, knowledge of GIS and Earth Observation are necessary to develop and maximise the commercial and scientific exploitation of data collection and analytical methods. MSc graduates with knowledge of both Earth Observation and GIS, and of these latest platforms, sensors and analytic methods will be well placed to find employment in this rapidly expanding sector. |
| Course description |
This course provides an insight, understanding and experience of the rapidly developing sUAV EO sector which can provide very high spatial resolution data 'on demand' for environmental monitoring and mapping and can support airborne and satellite EO cal/val activities. The use of sUAVs is advancing rapidly and these platforms with appropriate sensors can provide high spatial resolution data for precision agriculture, geomorphological mapping, energy balance and temperature studies of built or natural Earth surfaces rapidly and cost effectively. This course will provide a skill set identified as desirable by both the student cohort and employment sector.
The purpose of the course is three-fold. First, it will introduce students to the different types of sUAVs available and the advantages and disadvantages of each for data acquisition and surveying. Secondly, GPS and inertial measurement systems, and their limitations, for flying and positioning sUAVs and instruments will be discussed in detail. Finally, a wide range of Earth observation sensors for capable of sUAV deployment will be introduced and data processing and analysis methods practiced.
To this end the following lectures will be given with a laboratory practical to enhance learning and contribute to a assessed report
* Introduction to sUAV platforms, GPS and IMU control system, flight planning, H&S consideration and regulations.
* Photogrammetry for environmental monitoring and mapping from sUAVs
*High spatial resolution multispectral, thermal and Lidar remote sensing from sUAVs
* Scaling spectroscopic measurement and EO calibration and validation using sUAV platform
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 3 (Sem 2) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
78 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
An initial report will be required and feedback (informative assessment) given for later inclusion into the final graded report. The following will require to be submitting and will be assessed: a group presentation and personal reflection (30%); a report on sUAV platform options, positional control and logging system and regulatory considerations (30%); then any one of: Photogrammetry and topographical mapping (40%); Multispectral EO 40%); Thermal EO (40%); Lidar (40%); and optical EO cal/val (40%). This report will be derived from results of practicals set during the course and is to be supported by additional analytical work, reading and referencing. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of fixed- and rotary-wing platforms and the link they will form in the chain of EO systems to scale observations from ground to satellite. The use of sUAV mounted inertial measurement units (IMU), GPS, and flight aspect and position logging systems. The H&S and regulatory framework for operation.
- Photogrammetry from sUAVs, camera inherent distortions and how to correct them, and use topographical mapping 3-D image generation and point-tracking software; multispectral, Lidar, and thermal imaging from sUAVs methods of observation, and the additional challenges of using miniature imaging systems and the post processing and analysis of high spatial resolution (sub decimetre) imagery acquired using these sensors.
- Locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic. Develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature.
- Take responsibility for their own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience. Plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard.
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Reading List
Anderson, K. and Gaston, K. (2013) Lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles will revolutionize spatial ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 11: 138-146.
Berni, J. Zarco-Tejada, P., Suárez, L. and Fereres, E. (2009) Thermal and Narrowband Multispectral Remote Sensing for Vegetation Monitoring From an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. IEEE Transaction on Geosciences and Remote Sensing. 47, 3, 722 - 738.
Colomina, I and Molina, P. (2014) Unmanned aerial systems for photogrammetry and remote sensing: A review. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 92, 79-97.
Hardin. P. and Jensen, R. (2011). Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Environmental Remote Sensing: Challenges and Opportunities, GIScience & Remote Sensing, 48:1, 99-111.
Kuenzer, C. and Dech, S. (eds) (2012) Thermal Infrared remote sensing: sensors, methods and applications. Springer DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6639-6. Particularly Chapters 1 and 4.
Milton, E.J., 1987. Principles of field spectroscopy. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 8, 1807-1827. Milton, E.J., Schaepman, M., Anderson, K., Kneubuhler, M. and Fox, N. (2009). Progress in field spectroscopy. Remote Sensing of Environment, 113, S92-S109.
Schaepman-Strub, G., Schaepman, M.E., Painter, T.H., Dangel, S. and Martonchik, J.V. (2006). Reflectance quantities in optical remote sensing-definitions and case studies. Remote Sensing of Environment, 103, 27-42.
Whitehead, K., and Hugenholtz, C.H. (2014). Remote sensing of the environment with small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), part 1: a review of progress and challenges. J. Unmanned Veh. Syst. 2. 86-102. Whitehead, K., and Hugenholtz, C.H. (2014). Remote sensing of the environment with small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), part 1: a review of progress and challenges. J. Unmanned Veh. Syst. 2. 69-85. Watts, A., Ambrosia, V, and Hinkley, E. (2012). Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Remote Sensing and Scientific Research: Classification and Considerations of Use. Remote Sensing 2012, 4, 1671-1692. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will acquire and develop the following transferable skills:
* Ability to consider and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of sUAV platform types and the constraints these place on data acquisition, quality and fitness for purpose. Planning skills for data acquisition and sampling strategies and understand how these influence the utility of data acquired for different purposes.
* Understanding of high spatial resolution EO data and how it can be quality assessed and analysed.
* Ability to write a detailed technical report presenting a near-ground EO campaign including, platform selection and instrument, flight planning and sampling strategies, data analysis and findings. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alasdair Macarthur
Tel: (0131 6)50 5926
Email: Alasdair.MacArthur@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Lynne Mcgillivray
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: Lynne.McGillivray@ed.ac.uk |
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