Inspection camera for powerline corridor mapping
Corridor Mapping

Capturing precise details, with four Phase One cameras integrated to helicopter-based CLASS platform

Medium to large scale oil, gas and electric utility companies require constant high-resolution imagery and data of their physical assets to inspect any health and maintenance concerns. NV5 Geospatial is able to provide high quality data in 50% less time by integrating four Phase One cameras into their CLASS helicopter-based platform and collect the required nadir and nadir 4-band, oblique, and high-density LiDAR data in a single pass.

Inspection camera for powerline corridor mapping

Keeping America powered: high-resolution imagery detailing health and encroachment concerns.

Providing such data to utility companies across North America is one of many projects undertaken by NV5 Geospatial, one of North America’s largest geospatial services firms.

In order to meet inspection-grade detail and accuracy requirements for their data, NV5 Geospatial integrated Phase One medium format inspection cameras into their Comprehensive Low-Altitude Sensor Solution (CLASS); a platform that collects nadir, 4-band, oblique, and high-density lidar data in a single pass.

Previously, NV5 Geospatial focused more heavily on high accuracy LIDAR products than on RGB and NIR imagery. However, with the availability and growing knowledge of high-resolution oblique imagery, their clients have become more aware of the usefulness of imagery for high-value asset inspection. Oblique imagery offers greater visibility as compared to nadir imagery or point clouds and can often be much more useful for inspection.

Quick Facts

GSD - UP TO 6.5CM

Oblique imagery approaches resolutions up to 6.5cm

sdk time saving during wind turbine inspections

10-20% REDUCTION IN PROCESSING TIME

Ability to collect Nadir, Oblique, and High-density LiDAR in a single pass lead to a reduction in passes required by 50%

COMPREHENSIVE LOW-ALTITUDE SENSOR SYSTEM (CLASS)

- 2 x Phase One 150MP Oblique Cameras with 70mm lenses - Phase One 100MP 4 -Band System (RGB & NIR) with dual 50mm lenses - 2x LiDAR scanners - Solar Radiation Sensor and weather probe

The sharpness of the un-stabilized imagery has enabled our team to provide automated asset inventory and asset health on transmission line structures. Previous solutions prior to Phase One did not have the reliability, accuracy, sharpness, and support to offer such a product to our customers.

Ryan Lynch

Flight Operations Manager – NV5 Geospatial

Integration

The ability to seamlessly integrate Phase One components with other instrumentation allows NV5 Geospatial to provide end solutions to their clients that exceed requirements and expectations. The CLASS 1.0 and 2.0 platforms ensure that all data and imagery collected provides the necessary high level of detailed information without any concern of reliability, accuracy, or sharpness.

Instead of having to perform separate passes with a high-altitude fixed-wing level for Nadir imagery and another low pass for Oblique imagery, NV5 Geospatial is now able to collect Nadir, Oblique, and high-density LiDAR data in a single pass for corridor survey projects with their CLASS system.  Mounted to a helicopter-based platform this reduced the number of passes required by 50%, while still achieving asset inspection grade detail in the imagery for their clients.

Oblique Imagery Quantum NV5 and Phase One case study

Wide Dynamic Range for Varying Light Conditions

The wide dynamic range of  Phase One 150MP cameras allows NV5 Geospatial to extend project hours and flight time by 50%. With Phase One high-definition sensors integrated into the CLASS system, capturing detailed imagery in high-contrast environments (such as transmission line corridors and urban settings), allows projects to remain equally productive as light conditions vary.

power line inspection | Oblique Imagery Quantum NV5 and Phase One case study

Unexpected Georeferencing Benefits

Data processing hours from the CLASS system were reduced by 10-20% for image positioning through direct georeferencing and accurate enough to automatically support the required deliverable specification (Previously unable to achieve without the requirement to perform aerial triangulation). This was an unexpected benefit of collecting data at a low altitude and using a well-built platform with high-quality sensors and instrumentation.

The imagery itself was enjoyable to look at as we moved it through each stage of the production workflow, and something we could be proud to deliver to our clients.”

  • Integration

    Integration

    The ability to seamlessly integrate Phase One components with other instrumentation allows NV5 Geospatial to provide end solutions to their clients that exceed requirements and expectations. The CLASS 1.0 and 2.0 platforms ensure that all data and imagery collected provides the necessary high level of detailed information without any concern of reliability, accuracy, or sharpness.

    Instead of having to perform separate passes with a high-altitude fixed-wing level for Nadir imagery and another low pass for Oblique imagery, NV5 Geospatial is now able to collect Nadir, Oblique, and high-density LiDAR data in a single pass for corridor survey projects with their CLASS system.  Mounted to a helicopter-based platform this reduced the number of passes required by 50%, while still achieving asset inspection grade detail in the imagery for their clients.

    Oblique Imagery Quantum NV5 and Phase One case study
  • Wide Dynamic Range for Varying Light Conditions

    Wide Dynamic Range for Varying Light Conditions

    The wide dynamic range of  Phase One 150MP cameras allows NV5 Geospatial to extend project hours and flight time by 50%. With Phase One high-definition sensors integrated into the CLASS system, capturing detailed imagery in high-contrast environments (such as transmission line corridors and urban settings), allows projects to remain equally productive as light conditions vary.

    power line inspection | Oblique Imagery Quantum NV5 and Phase One case study
  • Unexpected Georeferencing Benefits

    Unexpected Georeferencing Benefits

    Data processing hours from the CLASS system were reduced by 10-20% for image positioning through direct georeferencing and accurate enough to automatically support the required deliverable specification (Previously unable to achieve without the requirement to perform aerial triangulation). This was an unexpected benefit of collecting data at a low altitude and using a well-built platform with high-quality sensors and instrumentation.

    The imagery itself was enjoyable to look at as we moved it through each stage of the production workflow, and something we could be proud to deliver to our clients.”

NV5 Geospatial

NV5 Geospatial is North America’s largest geospatial services firm, providing insights to organizations that need geospatial intelligence to mitigate risk, plan for growth, better manage resources and advance scientific understanding.

NV5 Geospatial goes beyond data acquisition and measurement, transforming high-quality, accurate data into usable information tailored to meet our clients’ needs. Major government agencies, the military, and corporate organizations of all sizes, including utilities, oil and gas producers, engineering and construction firms, depend on NV5 Geospatial to revolutionize the way they use and value geospatial data through end-to-end solutions that push the boundaries of data and analytics.

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Contact a Phase One Expert

If you would like to learn more about our aerial cameras, our experts are eager to help! Contact Us.