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Accuracy assessment of UAV-post-processing kinematic (PPK) and UAV-traditional (with ground control points) georeferencing methods

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Abstract

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in photogrammetric mapping/surveying facilities has increased recently due to the developments on photogrammetric instruments and algorithms that enhance high-quality final products (orthoimages, digital surface model-DSM, etc.) in fast, accurate, and economical way. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a UAV-based post-processing kinematic (PPK) solution. To do that, two methods were implemented with PPK solution and georeferencing with ground control points (GCPs). According to the statistical results, root mean square error (RMSE) values obtained from the GCPs and PPK solutions in the horizontal component are 6.5 cm and 5.4 cm, respectively. The RMSE values in the vertical component (ellipsoidal heights) were obtained as 4.8 cm (GCPs) and 5.2 cm (PPK), respectively. The results show that UAV-PPK method can also be used to produce photogrammetric products where high accuracy (≤ 10 cm) is required without GCPs. In addition, the results obtained regarding the use of this method clearly show that it can be applied in many different fields such as agriculture, forestry, natural disasters, and geomatics.

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Data Availability

The data used in this study are provided by Atmos UAV B.V. Company. Therefore, it is not possible for us to share the data without the consent of the relevant companies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Atmos UAV B.V. Company for their contributions to flight and field studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geomatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Türkiye

    Tarık Türk

  2. Department of Geomatic Engineering, Civil Engineering Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, 34220, Davutpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye

    Nursu Tunalioglu, Bahattin Erdogan, Taylan Ocalan & Mert Gurturk

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  1. Tarık Türk
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  2. Nursu Tunalioglu
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  3. Bahattin Erdogan
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  4. Taylan Ocalan
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  5. Mert Gurturk
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Correspondence to Tarık Türk.

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Türk, T., Tunalioglu, N., Erdogan, B. et al. Accuracy assessment of UAV-post-processing kinematic (PPK) and UAV-traditional (with ground control points) georeferencing methods. Environ Monit Assess 194, 476 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10170-0

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