Airborne Laser Scanning
Capture 3D data of large areas quickly and accurately with the RIEGL UK range of airborne laser scanners. When you choose RIEGL airborne laser scanning, you gain access to the latest, state-of-the-art laser and signal processing technology.
Our portfolio of aerial scanners can be tailored to best suit your requirements. Our mid-altitude scanners are typically adaptable for a variety of platforms from pods to hatches with or without a Gyro Stabilized Mount (GSM) and can accommodate high resolution cameras in differing quantities and orientations.
What is Airborne Laser Scanning and How Does it Work?
Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) – traditionally LiDAR - is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses emitted from an aircraft to measure the earth's surface and objects with high precision. It’s widely used in fields like forestry, mapping, archaeology, urban planning, and environmental monitoring.
Here’s a simplified step-by-step breakdown of how ALS works:
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Laser Emission: A laser scanner onboard an aircraft (usually a plane, drone, or helicopter) emits rapid laser pulses toward the ground.
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Reflection: The pulses reflect off surfaces, including vegetation, buildings, and the ground itself.
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Time Measurement: Sensors record the time it takes for each pulse to return to the scanner, calculating the distance between the laser transmitter on board the aircraft and the surface based on the speed of light.
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Positioning: With the help of GPS and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), the exact location and orientation of the aircraft and laser scanner are tracked, when combined with the laser distances this allows for precise mapping of the terrain.
When is ALS used?
Airborne Laser scanning is ideal for forestry inventory and carbon initiatives, infrastructure corridors such as powerlines and railway, and national LiDAR mapping programs. It’s also used frequently within coastal monitoring and environmental research such as bird height measurements for wind farm environmental assessment.
Our Airborne Laser Scanning models
RIEGL's airborne laser scanners allow a flexible approach to building your ideal solution. Each scanner engine is unique in it's own way; all allow for the integration of a positional and navigation system and high resolution cameras. Their individual form factors offer a variety of mounting options for differing aircraft types - from endurance drone, fixed wing aircraft to helicopter.
We encourage you to Contact Us to discuss your unique solution objectives.
RIEGL Airborne Laser Scan systems
Our high altitude LiDAR systems are 'fully integrated' with either single or dual laser scanning channels, a high grade Inertial Navigation System (INS) , up to two ultra-high resolution aerial cameras and removable onboard data storage.
Typically, these systems may sit in a Gyro Stabilised Mount (GSM) over an aircraft survey hatch for optimum nadir photography.
A key difference between each of our systems are the way that the points are distributed to the ground. The best way to understand this is to view a sample data set. Please Contact Us to see our samples.
Helicopter Pods for Airborne Scanning
Helicopter-mounted laser scanning pods are designed for flexibility and seamless integration. They typically mount on a suitable helicopter support arm making installation and removal quick and efficient. A built-in wire sprung system helps reduce external mechanical vibration to acceptable levels.
Our office will work with you to understand which RIEGL solution ideally suits your primary requirements.
Topo-Bathymetry Airborne Laser Scanners
RIEGL VQ-840-G
Compact airborne laser scanner for topo-bathymetric surveys, offering flexibility and precision. Typically flown on helicopter or light aircraft at altitudes up to 150 m.
Max Secchi Depths: 2.0
Max Secchi Depths (averaging): 2.5
Scan Pattern: Near Elliptic
Field of view: 40 deg
Measurement.rate: 200 kHz
Max. lines per second: 100
Max. operating altitude AGL: 150 m
RIEGL VQ-860-G
High-performance airborne laser scanner for topographic and bathymetric applications, designed for superior accuracy and efficiency from altitudes up to 300 m.
Max Secchi Depths: 2.5
Max Secchi Depths (averaging): 3.0
Scan Pattern: Near Elliptic
Field of view: 40 deg
Measurement.rate: 100 kHz
Max. lines per second: 100
Max. operating altitude AGL: 300 m
Learn more about RIEGL Airborne Laser Scanners
What is RIEGL Airborne Laser Scanning used for?
RIEGL airborne laser scanning systems are versatile tools with applications spanning multiple fields. Each RIEGL scanner is engineered for reliability and precision, providing high-performance solutions for professionals who demand the best in airborne LiDAR technology. Their ability to generate detailed 3D spatial data across a wide area makes them indispensable for:
Corridor mapping
Quickly map power line, rail or pipeline corridors to find potential hazards along the route.
Coastal and Riverbed Monitoring
Performing topo-bathymetric surveys to map underwater features, assess sediment levels, and monitor coastal changes.
Forestry and Vegetation Analysis
Measuring tree heights, forest density, and biomass while penetrating dense canopies to capture ground-level details.
Environmental Mapping
These ALS LiDAR scanners are often used to map environments such as measuring bird height for wind farm construction.
Archaeology
Discovering hidden features and structures beneath vegetation, offering invaluable insights into historical sites.
Topographic Mapping
Creating detailed maps of terrain, including urban areas, natural landscapes, and infrastructure, with pinpoint accuracy.
Urban Development
Supporting infrastructure planning, building assessments, and smart city initiatives with accurate 3D data.
Wide-Area Surveys
Efficiently mapping extensive areas for projects like regional planning, flood modelling, and large-scale construction.
Key Features of RIEGL Airborne Laser Scanners
Advanced Waveform Processing
Proprietary technology enables high accuracy, multiple target detection, detailed data capture in complex environments and designs that feature atmospheric clutter suppression for cleaner point clouds.
High Productivity
Exceptional pulse repetition rates and wide fields of view ensure efficient data acquisition over large areas.
Lightweight and Compact Design
RIEGL mid-altitude laser scanners are optimised for integration with UAVs and aircraft, offering flexibility and ease of use.
FAQs
1 / Do you offer System Integrations?
Please contact us directly to get information about availability of System Integrators for your special application.
2 / Are there service providers in my area?
Please contact us directly to get information about Service Providers in your area.
3 / How do airborne laser scanners differ from drone laser scanners?
These refer to the vehicle that carries the laser scanners. Airborne laser scanners are attached to larger aircraft than drones, while drone laser scanners refer specifically to scanners attached to drones. Typically, scanners that are installed on aircraft are flown much higher than UAV/drones, therefore use higher powered lasers compared to unmanned systems.
4 / How accurate is a terrestrial laser scanner?
Our scanners are hugely accurate. This equipment can usually achieve millimetre levels of precision when scanning. How accurate it is depends on usage, model and environmental conditions.