UAV-based Measurement of Vegetation Indices for Environmental Monitoring

This paper presents an airborne multi-spectral imaging sensor which is able to simultaneously capture three visible and three near infrared channels. The first prototype was integrated in a Schiebel CAMCOPTER (R) S-100 VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for in-flight tests. A low cost version of the initial multi-spectral imaging system was developed to fit into a more compact UAV. The imaging system captures six bands with a minimal spatial resolution of approx. 10cm x 10cm (depending on altitude). Results indicate that the system is able to resist the high vibration level during flight and that the actively stabilized camera gimbal compensates for rapid roll/tilt movements of the UAV. After image registration the acquired images are stitched together for land cover mapping and flight path validation. Moreover the system is able to distinguish between different types of vegetation and soil.