Ultra compact bathymetric measurement system chain for capture of shallow waters

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Uwe Sörgel
• Subject Area: Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography ; Measurement Systems
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 500085320

Waters are lifelines, but at the same time they also pose dangers. In order to prevent these dangers, an up-to-date and comprehensive database is required. In particular, knowledge of the topography of the watercourse near the banks and of the subsoil enables reliable flood simulations. Currently, echosounders or airborne bathymetry sensors are used for the geometric recording of waters, which can be used to precisely capture large waters. However, these sensors fail in small, shallow waters. It exists a drone-based bathymetry system on the market, but it can only be flown under strict regulations. Therefore, within the ACQUA-3D project, we are developing a small, compact, drone-based bathymetry measurement system in combination with comprehensive evaluation methods. The multi-sensor measuring system will be built up of a laser-based measuring unit consisting of two pulsed lasers including the corresponding receiver units and a multi-spectral camera system with RGB, Costal Blue and NIR channels. This allows to capture the water surface as well as the water bottom. The measurements are evaluated with the automated evaluation algorithms developed within the framework of the preceding DFG project. The evaluation and optimisation of the entire process chain is ensured by the industrial partners EOMAP and GEO Group. In addition to a wealth of experience, the industrial partners can generate extensive reference data sets.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants (Transfer Project)
• Application Partner: EOMAP GmbH & Co. KG; GEO Group GmbH
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Reiterer