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AT 309 - Lab 05: DJI M300 Termal Mapping Misson

Lab Overview

This lab served as an introduction to infrared mapping using a larger UAS platform. The DJI M300 RTK equipped with the Zenmuse H20T thermal payload was used to complete a short 2D mapping mission. The flight was conducted as a class-wide operation, with assigned roles including Pilot in Command and Sensor Operator, while the rest of the class observed the mission.

The main purpose of this lab was to gain exposure to thermal sensors, understand how IR data collection differs from standard RGB mapping, and observe how mission planning and flight behavior change when using a larger aircraft and specialized payload.

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Figure 1: Data Collection site
Figure 1: Data Collection site
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Study Area

Data collection took place at the Purdue University Student Farm on Cherry Lane in West Lafayette. This site was selected due to the variety of land cover types present, including crops, buildings, gravel, and vegetation. This mix of materials made the location ideal for observing how different surfaces appear in thermal imagery.

Although the data was collected at the student farm, the launch and recovery point was located at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center. This location provided a flat, open area with a clear flight path to the student farm. The distance between the two sites was short enough to maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft throughout the mission.

Site Conditions and Hazards

Before flight operations began, site conditions were recorded and a hazard assessment was completed. Weather conditions were warm and dry with clear skies and moderate winds. These conditions were suitable for flight but still required attention due to gusts and the size of the aircraft.

Several hazards were identified and briefed to the team, including nearby personnel not involved in the operation, overhead air traffic, light poles beneath the flight area, and wooded areas north of the mission site. All hazards were considered during planning and execution to maintain safe operations.

Site Conditions

Site Conditions

Dewpoint

47 Degrees Fahrenheit (Dry)

Wind (According to KLAF METAR)

11mph gusting 17mph East Northeast

Precipitation

0% Chance

Visibility

10 statute miles

Clouds (Observed at Site)

Clear Skies

Wind (Observed at Site)

Light to Medium wind at surface

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Methods and Flight Operations

All mission planning and flight execution were completed using the DJI Pilot 2 app, which is natively installed on the M300 controller. The app allowed for autonomous mission planning while also giving the pilot the ability to manually override the aircraft at any time.

A key difference in this mission compared to previous labs was the use of the infrared sensor. Because the thermal sensor has a lower bit depth than a standard RGB camera, higher frontlap and sidelap values were required. This resulted in slower flight speeds and longer mission durations to ensure usable data quality.

Data Deliverables

Metadata and dataset information were collected during the mission to support proper documentation and future processing. This included flight details, sensor information, weather conditions, and crew roles. While some dataset values were unavailable, the metadata log provides important context for understanding how the data was collected and any issues encountered during the flight.

Operational notes indicated challenges with mission speed consistency and altitude control, as well as the need to plan the mission directly in DJI software due to KML issues.

Key Takeaway

This lab highlighted the differences between standard RGB mapping and infrared data collection using a larger UAS platform. The DJI M300 demonstrated increased capability and flexibility, but also required more careful planning due to sensor limitations and aircraft behavior. Overall, the lab provided valuable experience with thermal payloads, mission planning in DJI Pilot 2, and coordinating safe operations in a multi-crew environment.