GPS and IMU

Horizons offers a broad range of control options to its clients. Advanced control technologies such as GPS and IMU are applied when it is determined to offer added benefit or cost savings.

GPS
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is incorporated into the majority of Horizons' mapping projects. GPS is based upon utilization of a constellation of satellites that orbit the earth and continuously send positional signals. GPS receivers record the satellite broadcasts from several satellites simultaneously permitting the determination of its precise position.

Mapping projects incorporate GPS static survey on ground control locations distributed throughout a project area. These locations and the locations of basestation receivers for airborne GPS operations are brought into a tight control network. Airborne GPS operations utilize multiple receivers with collection of GPS data on-board the aircraft and simultaneous collection at ground basestation receivers. Flight data is post-processed to provide exact positional information for the airborne sensors and camera systems.

IMU
An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a small device that is directly mounted onto sensors such as LiDAR instruments and camera units. It is composed of accelerometers and gyros. The IMU records the orientation of the instrument in relation to true north and true vertical and outputs the accelerometer and gyro data as incremental velocities and angular rates. The orientation data provided by the IMU when combined with GPS data effectively eliminates the need for aerial triangulation in airborne photography and enables scanners to be used as mapping tools.

Advanced control technologies such as GPS and IMU provide a significant contribution to mapping accuracy, efficiency of operations and cost savings. Horizons is proud to offer all of the latest control technologies to its clients.