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Objective #1: Discover, Identify, and the capabilities and options of ArcGIS Earth as a GIS data viewing platform.Objective #2: Recognize, relate, and compare different forms of Remotely Sensed Data in ArcGIS EarthObjective #3: Demonstrate proficiency and knowledge on how to effectively utilize the various functions of ArcGIS earth in UAS data collection, processing, and analysis.
Icons on the top leftDataMy DrawingsDataLegendPlus SignArcGIS Online, Add Files, Add from PathPencil IconPoint, Line, Polygon, Ground Overlay, Screen Overlay, Network LinkSatellite IconConnect Device, Realtime GNSS Feed, Import GNSS DataRuler IconCube IconElevation Profile, Line of Sight, Viewshed3 CirclesAtmosphere, Terrain Exaggeration, Underground, Daylight, GridBookmark IconVideo IconEarth IconCreate Map LayoutDownload Map Tiles4 Squares IconBasemap, Terrain, Layer Visibility
Understanding how to navigate with the mouseScrolling the wheelZoom in/outHouse IconHold down the left mouse button and move the mouseTurns the globeZoom into an area of high relief, such as the Rocky Mountains, hold down the right mouse and move itTurns in a 360 view
ViewShed
West Lafayette, IndianaGreat Falls, MontanaLine of Sight
Purcell Mountain, MontanaWenatchee Mountains, Washington
ViewShed and Line of Sight are very useful tools when planning out a UAS mission. ViewShed determines the surface locations visible to an observer or Ground Control Station and Line of Sight can test the direct visibility. These tools can help choose a takeoff and landing location and verify that the signal will not be blocked at a given altitude or location. It ensures for a safe and efficient flight path and helps minimize risks.
NAIP or National Agricultural Imagery Program is remotely sensed data from large format camera on planes. These planes make frequent flight to take images of the county to produce high resolution imagery. There are various applications for these images but are primarily for agricultural purposes.
Are wildfires limited only to the western united states?No, they are everywhere
Introduction to ArcGIS Earth and Online Geospatial Data
Introduction
Remote Sensing is a process of collecting data about the Earth’s surface via a satellite, airplane, or drone. This data can include visible light, radar, infrared, or other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. It can be used to manage and track the health of vegetation, monitor environmental changes, and even monitor energy infrastructures. ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) platform that allows users to create and analyze geographic data. It is like Google Earth; however, it offers more capabilities for geographic analysis, has advanced tools for editing and transforming data sets, has a variety of robust map design features, and more.
In the UAS industry, platforms like ArcGIS or similar, allow for comprehensive UAS mission planning. By using these platforms with existing geographic information system data, UAS pilots can minimize risks by checking for hazards that could interfere with the drone’s path, increase safety, optimize flight paths with pre-visualization, and offer extensive post-mission analysis. ArcGIS, and other GIS platforms, have revolutionized UAS mission planning.
In this document, I will walk you through a series of steps I took to understand the ArcGIS platform, analyze existing data, and showcase the capabilities provided. The main objectives for this document are as follows:
Introducing ArcGIS Earth
For this assignment, I used the ArcGIS Earth software. I used a computer that already had the software downloaded. Purdue University owns an enterprise license that allows for us students to access it.
Exploring Icons:
Exploring Basemaps
Basemaps are used as a background or backdrop to view other forms of data so that the data is given context.
List the basemap options
Figure 1. Basemap options
Figure 2. Basemap options
Figure 3. Basemap options
Figure 4. Basemap options
Figure 5. Basemap options
Figure 6. Basemap options
ArcGIS Earth allows for its users to change the basemaps. For this next section, I used the basemap terrain with labels. Then, using the interactive analysis tool, I am presented with 3 options. Elevation Profile, Line of Sight, and ViewShed.
First, I want to explore the elevation profiles of relief areas using the terrain with labels
Salt Lake City elevation value: 11,476 ftParker Mountain Idaho elevation value: 10.,449 ftFort Lewis Mountain Virginia elevation value: 3,286 ft
Why is this information useful for mission planning?
Relief influences how, where, and when a drone can be operated. Factors associated with relief are elevation, wind patterns, line of sight, and these things have a huge effect on UAS mission planning.
Elevation: Air density decreases as altitudes increases, this will reduce lift and motor efficiency.
Wind Patterns: Higher elevations and even valleys have turbulent wind patterns.
Line of Sight: Hills, ridges, and mountains can block line of sight and block signals.
Combine the terrain basemap with
Elevation Profile of the Wabash River in West Lafayette/Lafayette Indiana
Figure 7. Elevation Profile of Wabash River
Elevation Profile of Deep Creek Lake in Maryland
Figure 8. Elevation Profile of Deep Creek Lake
Elevation Profile of Entriken Pennsylvania
Figure 9. Elevation Profile of Entriken
How is this tool useful in UAS mission planning?
This tool allows for the mission planer to visualize how the relief change along a proposed flight path. Knowing this information can allow for the mission planner, or PIC, to be aware of terrain obstacles, set the UAS for a safe altitude, know when to use autonomous or manual flight controls, be aware of terrain that might block line of sight, and much more.
Figure 10. ViewShed of West Lafayette, Indiana
Figure 11. ViewShed of Great Falls, Montana
Figure 12. Line of Sight of Purcell Mountain, Montana
Figure 13. Line of Sight of Wenatchee Mountains, Washington
How might these tools relate to planning out a UAS mission?
USA NAIP Imagery: NDVI
What patterns do you see? What shows up green? Red?
NDVI or Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, uses a color ramp to represent the health of vegetation based on how the vegetation reflects different wavelengths of lights. The healthy denser vegetation shows up green, and the brighter and greener the healthier the vegetation. When red or a brownish color are displayed, it represents bare soil, sock, urban areas, dead, or unhealthy vegetation. I noticed when zoomed out over the state of Indiana, majority of the imagery was a bright green. However, as I zoomed in over certain parts of Indiana, redder appeared. For example, Indianapolis was much redder when compared to an empty field or more rural area. I came to the assumption that this is a result from Indianapolis lacking vegetation and has more sparse grassy areas and more areas of bare soil.
Figure 14. USA NAIP NDVI Imagery
Figure 15. Zoomed in USA NAIP NDVI Imagery
USA NAIP Imagery: Color Infrared
Figure 16. Infrared Imagery of Indiana
Figure 17. Zoomed In Imagery of Indiana
Compare
In Color Infrared Imagery, healthy vegetations appears as a bright red color. This is because healthy vegetation absorbs red and blue light for photosynthesis and strongly reflects green. Green is considered a near-infrared light, which is assigned a red color in the infrared band. Therefore, the brighter the red, the healthier the vegetation. Dead or unhealthy vegetation will appear in lighter shades of red, pink, or even green. Bodies of water will appear blue to black, while soils can range from brown to beige.
Looking at the state of Indiana on a wide scale view, most of the imagery appears to be red, which shows that majority of the vegetation appears to be healthy and vibrant. However, as I zoomed in over certain parts of Indiana, the color ranges began to differ. Different shades of red appeared and blue bands, revealing bodies of water, appeared. This reveals that there are some areas in Indiana that have less healthy vegetation that others.
Identifying hot spots
Figure 18. Western Hemisphere Hot Spots
Figure 19. Hot Spots in Africa
b. US Wildfire activity Web Map
i. This map tells you current incidents and wildfire locations
ii. In UAS you need visibility according to Part 107, wildfires would reduce visibility. Wildfires disrupt UAS operations due to restrictions, dangerous weather, and interference with sensors.
Figure 20. Active Wildfires in California
Figure 21. Wildfire Overview
Martell_ThermalIR
Figure 22. Thermal Infrared Imagery of Martell Forest
Thermal Infrared Imagery detects and creates images from heat emitted by an object. The different colors shown in Figure 22 represent different temperature readings. Blue reveals a cooler temperature while the pinkish and yellow/orange colors reveal warmer temperatures. In Figure 22, the perimeter reads a cooler color, which can be alluded to the tree line and shadier areas. While in the center of the image, it seems to be warmer, due to the yellow and pink readings. This could be due to less coverage from the trees and more exposure to the sunlight.
Martell_RBG_PPK
Figure 23. RBG and PPK Imagery of Martell Forest
Figure 24. Zoomed In RBG and PPK Imagery of Martell Forest
RBG imagery, or Red Blue Green, capture imagery in the visible light spectrum and produce detailed accurate images. These images are then stitched together to create large orthomosaic maps and 3D models. PPK imagery, or Post-Processing Kinematic, uses data dets from Drone GPS and GNSS receivers. This data is then processed and applied to create high resolution imagery. In Figures 23 and 24, you can see the level of accuracy and detail from this type of imagery.
As I zoomed in on the images in Figures 23 and 24, I noticed that the images became more pixelated. Figure 24 reveals a more defined image of Martell Forest. However, in Figure 23, as I zoomed in the level of detail decreased as the pixelation increased.
Martell Trail
Figure 25. Trail Overview of Martell Forest Trail
The trail generated on ArcGIS of the Martell Forest trail is an accurate representation.
Summary
ArcGIS is a widely used geographic information system (GIS) platform that enables a geographic approach to problem-solving. In this document, I walked you through a series of steps that I took to understand and become familiar with the platform. In addition, I provided answers to questions and demonstrated how its capabilities can be applied to UAS mission planning.
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