Author

Colin Kubera

Date of Award

5-29-2013

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

M.S.

Keywords

Global Positioning System (GPS), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUASs), Multispectral imagery analysis, Agriculture

Department

Geography

Abstract

The development of small Global Positioning System (GPS) antennas and microprocessors has propelled the advancement of affordable Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUASs), which will dramatically expand the remote sensing field, making timely, high-resolution imagery readily available. The low cost and simple operation of SUASs makes them an attractive option for agriculture. Flying a SUAS 400 ft above ground level (AGL) in a flight path that allows for significant image overlap can yield sub- 5cm resolution imagery, which in turn can be mosaicked and used for multispectral imagery analysis. With results rivaling the most advanced commercial imaging sensors, SUASs can be used to identify stressed vegetation and aid in decision making that ultimately leads to more efficient farming practices and consistent yields. Furthermore, minimal operating costs promote reduced revisit times and enable persistent collection to monitor changes over time.

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