Land Survey using Drone

Marking Ground Control Points (GCPs) and Recording Coordinates

Step 1: Setting Up the Base Station

  • Identify the survey location on the map.
  • Place the stake into the ground to mark the measurement point.
  • Use spray paint to highlight the area around the stake.
  • Place the base tripod over the stake.
  • Mount the tribrach on the tripod.
  • Align the instrument using the optical plummet.
  • Place the GNSS Base Receiver on the tribrach.
  • Power on the receiver and wait for initialization.

Step 2: Connecting Mobile to GNSS Base Receiver

  • Turn on Wi-Fi on the mobile phone.
  • Connect to the network "reach:37:2F".
  • Open the Emlid Flow app.
  • Rename device to "reach-base".
  • Set update rate to 5 Hz under GNSS settings.
  • Configure RTCM3 messages under Base Mode.
  • Enable LoRa in Correction Output.
  • Close the phone screen after setup.

Step 3: Setting Up the Rover (GCP 1)

  • Place the GCP marker at the first location.
  • Position the rover tripod over it.
  • Mount the GNSS Rover Receiver.
  • Power it on and wait for initialization.

Step 4: Recording Coordinates of GCP 1

  • Connect mobile to rover Wi-Fi.
  • Open Emlid Flow and configure GNSS settings.
  • Enable LoRa in Correction Input.
  • Check correction status under Status.
  • Go to Survey → Add and label as "GCP".
  • Enable Fix Only mode.
  • Click Measure and wait for completion.
  • Save and close after recording coordinates.
  • Fold the tripod and store it.

Step 5: Recording Coordinates of GCP 2, 3, and 4

  • Move to the next GCP location.
  • Place the marker and set up the rover.
  • Open Survey → Add → Measure.
  • Wait for completion and save data.
  • Store equipment after each measurement.
  • Repeat for all remaining GCPs.

Preparing the Drone for Survey

Steps

  • Move to the drone take-off location.
  • Open the drone box and remove components.
  • Attach all four propellers.
  • Insert the battery.
  • Power on the drone and confirm readiness.

Conducting the Survey - Ready to Fly

Steps

  • Select a safe, flat take-off area.
  • Place four safety cones around the area.
  • Position the drone at the center.
  • Power on the remote controller.
  • Open Plan → 2D Photogrammetry.
  • Define the survey boundary on the map.
  • Save the plan as "DRONE JOB".
  • Click Invoke → Start.
  • Slide to Execute to launch the drone.
  • The drone captures images automatically.
  • After completion, it performs Return to Home (RTH) and lands.

Post-Survey Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

Steps

  • Power off the drone.
  • Remove the memory card.
  • Insert it into the laptop.
  • Open Pix4Dmatic software.
  • Import images from the Golf Part folder.
  • Load gcps.csv under Tie Points.
  • Set coordinate reference systems and apply.
  • Open processing settings and enable:
    • Dense Point Cloud
    • Image Pre-processing
    • Mesh
    • DSM
    • Orthomosaic
  • Start processing and wait for completion.
  • View results in 3D mode.
  • Import and save the Quality Report.
  • Download the report (PDF) for submission.