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.