> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.terraref.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.terraref.org/beta/scientific-objectives-and-experimental-design/protocols/uav-protocols.md). # UAV Protocols ``` Authors: Rick Ward ``` ## Abstract ## Materials ### Platforms * SenseFly eBee fixed-wing drone * Hexacopter ### Cameras UAV data are collected using one of three cameras: * 5-band [MicaSense RedEdge](https://www.micasense.com/rededge) * 4-band + RGB [Parrot Sequoia](https://www.micasense.com/sequoia) * SenseFly thermal [thermoMap](https://www.sensefly.com/drones/accessories.html) Cameras are carried singly or in tandem on the SenseFly eBee fixed-wing drone (Sequoia and thermoMap, individually only), or a hexacopter (RedEdge or Sequoia, individually or in tandem). ## Procedure ### Flight Standard flight altitude is 44m with 75% image overlap (both sequentially and laterally), and missions are programmed and managed by either [Mission Planner](http://ardupilot.org/planner/index.html#) or senseFly [eMotion](https://www.sensefly.com/software/emotion-2.html). ### Calibration No radiometric calibration was conducted as of Nov 5, 2016. ### Analysis Pix4D software was used to generate gray-scale orthomosaic geotiff files containing NDVI data after georegistration to the WGS84/UTM 12 N coordinate reference system using three to five 2D geo-located ground control points. These are manually matched to 5-40 images each. Ground control points for the Lemnatec Field Scanner are on the concrete pylons and were geolocated using an RTK base station maintained by the USDA-ARS at Maricopa (see section on [geospatial information](/beta/user-manual/data-products/geospatial-information.md)). QGIS software was used to confirm geospatial alignment of NDVI geotiffs with shape files containing geolocated positions of the rail foundations. A shape file containing polygons aligning with the middle two rows of each of the 350 experimental units (for sorghum crop Aug-Nov 2016) was kindly generated by Dr. A French of USDA-ARS. Zonal Statistics in QGIS was used to calculate NDVI means for each plot polygon. ## References * MicaSense: * SenseFly * QGIS