Proposal

This system will consist of the Trimble UX5: a professional UAS based rapid terrain mapping tool. Equipped with a prosumer photogrammetric camera solution and automated navigation, it allows users to create highly accurate two-dimensional and three-dimensional deliverables including point clouds, digital surface models, scaled orthophotos and feature maps. Flights are conducted in a fully automated manner, from launch to landing. No piloting skills are required to fly the UX5. Instead, the pilot in command merely facilitates the aircraft’s operation, which includes selecting the area to be covered and indicating the takeoff and landing locations. A demonstration video of the UX5 system and procedure is available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZcq2ofY-c).

The Geosciences Department proposes to introduce this technology into many of its existing undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as in a brand new Graduate Seminar. This goal specifically supports the University’s QEP by increasing exposure of students to research inquiry and the scientific methods in the Geosciences' curriculum. Classes in which the Unmanned Aerial Rapid Terrain Mapping System will be utilized include the following:

GIS 4035C Remote Sensing of the Environment is the introductory course in the Geosciences department’s Remote Sensing sequence. Taught each semester, enrollment averages around 40 students. This class would be an appropriate venue for an introduction to the potential applications surrounding such a system, a discussion of examples implemented by the department, and exercises centered upon the imagery generated by this system.

GIS 4037C Digital Image Analysis is the second course in the Geosciences department’s Remote Sensing sequence. Taught each Fall and Spring semester, enrollment averages around 40 students. This class would be an appropriate venue for further discussion of department research employing this system, and additional exercises focusing upon gathered imagery. Exceptional students completing this class would be candidates for Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) research employing this cutting edge technology under the supervision of Faculty.

GIS 4021C & GEO 6938 Photogrammetry and Aerial Photograph Interpretation is taught each Spring semester, with an enrollment averaging around 20 students. It would serve as one of two undergraduate/graduate courses in which the Unmanned Aerial Rapid Terrain Mapping System would be heavily utilized. Students would obtain a ‘soup to nuts’ photogrammetric experience from planning the aerial survey, to conducting the mission, and finally to producing highly accurate two-dimensional and three-dimensional deliverables including point clouds, digital surface models, scaled orthophotos and feature maps. Exceptional students completing this class would be candidates for QEP research employing this cutting edge technology under the supervision of Faculty.

GIS 4138C Geovisualization and GIS is taught each Fall semester, with an enrollment averaging around 20 students. Here, students would employ stereoscopic displays to produce 3D visualizations from the point clouds, digital surface models, scaled orthophotos and feature maps produced by the Photogrammetry class. Exceptional students completing this class would be candidates for QEP research employing this cutting edge technology under the supervision of Faculty.

GIS 4048 & GIS 5051 Applications in GIS is taught each Spring semester, enrollment is typically 25-35 students. This class is the capstone for our GIS sequence, culminating with a term project that demonstrates all of the GIS skills that users have acquired in their academic training here at FAU. As such, students will have the opportunity to utilize the UAS in their research if they wish. This obviously helps satisfy the goals of the QEP. This system also ties in nicely with another focus of the class, the instruction of Mobile GIS. Here students gain further knowledge of the Global Positioning System (GPS) (which is employed to manage the flight of the vehicle) and the appropriate techniques for collecting and maintaining spatial data in the field. Indeed, some of the photogrammetric products derived from this system will require the accurate tracking of ground control points using GPS, a skillset that this class covers. The class embarks on a weekend field trip to the Florida Keys in which they perform research as part of their term project. This will allow them to perform a highly realistic simulation of the work they may be asked to complete in their future careers, collecting data of their study area both on the ground and from the air. Exceptional students completing this class would be candidates for QEP research employing this cutting edge technology under the supervision of Faculty, as well as being uniquely prepared to enter either the workforce or to undertake future graduate research.

GEO 4905 Direct Independent Studies. Students seeking to improve their GIS skills as an end in of itself, or as part of some other undergraduate research, will frequently enroll in DIS credits. During this time, students would be able to utilize the UAS under faculty supervision. This work is tailored to their chosen project, and is perfect for students conducting QEP Research. Enrollment will typically approximate 3-4 students per semester.

Future UAS Graduate Seminar

This class would provide Graduate Students with detailed knowledge in the operation of the UAS, preparing them for future UAS certification, significantly enhancing their academic research opportunities either at the Masters or PhD level.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Rover Kit – $25,996.75

Spare Aircraft Housing - $2,921.75

Trimble UX5 Near Infrared Camera with Batteries and Charger - $3,246.75

Various Extended Maintenance Parts - $2,018.25