TV1 and TV1 Lite processing with LP360

1. Introduction

In this article we will explain step by step how to process a TV1 and TV1 Lite dataset in LP360 Drone. The idea of the article is to serve as a quick user guide on processing. This article will not explain in detail each of the settings available in each step, that can be found either in the help section or in the LP360 Drone User guide.
If looking for batch processing, check this article.

1.1. Pre-Requisites

Before starting with the workflow, the user will need to have LP360 v2025.1 or newer. It is also required a LP360 Drone license.

2. Import

1- Open LP360 v2025.1 or newer
2- Select "Import Raw Missions into New Project..."
3- Select "TrueView / Microdrones"
4- Press "Folder" to import the raw data from the sensor. You can select 1 or more cycles (flights) to be process in the same project.

5- Press Next
6- Select the base station file in Rinex format --> Next
7- Select the Project Root Folder and the Project Name
8- Select the desired CRS

Tip: If you do not know the CRS, you can always select WGS84 UTM zone XX in Ellipsoidal heigh. LP360 shows the recommended UTM zone.
9- Press Next --> The summary will be display --> Press next
10- Data imported

3. Point Cloud generation

3.1. Trajectory Processing

1- Go to "Sensor" ribbon--> Trajectory Processing --> Next

2- In the base station section --> Press "Survey Nail" --> Press "Add"
3- Add the base station coordinates (latitude, longitude, heigh in meters and datum) --> Press "OK" --> Press "OK"

4- Press "Next"
5- Download the ephemerides File--> Press "Download" --> Wait that the ephemerides are downloaded --> Press "Next"

5- Review the Trajectory Processing summary --> Press "Submit" --> A confirmation window will appear, press "Continue"
6- Go to "Job manager" to monitor the processing status

7- Once the job is completed, it will appear as "Ready" in the "Job manager" --> Select it--> Press "Complete Job"
8- The trajectory processing report will open --> Check the solution Quality

Tip: the solution desired is Q=1 100%, this means 100% fixed solution. It is represented by the green trajectory colour. If you see any other solution, specially if the Q=1 is less than 95% read this article to learn if the solution is compromised.

3.2. Flight lines generation

Once the data is processed, LP360 allows you to create flight lines. This step involves selecting the portions of the data you need, excluding unnecessary segments like takeoffs and turns, and ensuring that you only work with the most relevant data.

1. Select the Auto-Create Flight Lines tool on the Sensor tab to open the Auto Create Flight Lines dialog.
   
             
   • Flight Line Layer - The name of the layer that will be created and requires no input from the user.
   • Min. Length – No linear set of points shorter than this value will be considered for the calculation of a flight line. This number should usually be set to the shortest flight line length. Use the Measure tool  on the main LP360 toolbar to measure the shortest desired flight line.
   • Turn Radius – The radius, in map units, to allow at turns. The smaller the number, the closer the flight lines will be cut to the turns. The greater the radius, the larger the gap.
   • Max Deviation – The deviation parameter that tells the software when to break a line segment into two. The smaller this number, the more linear the flight lines but the more flight lines that will be created. The larger this value, the more “bend” will be allowed in a relatively straight segment without splitting. Hence, increase this value significantly if you have curved flight lines.
2. Once you have entered the desired parameters, select Compute Flight Lines. The number of flight lines created will then populate in the Flight Lines column and the Status will change to Computed. Once satisfied, click Next.
   
   
   
3. On the Edit Mode page of the Auto Create Flight Lines dialog, the Select/Edit Features tool will automatically be enabled.
   
   • Select flight lines you wish to delete, then click the Delete key then the Enter key on your keyboard.
     • Hold control while selecting to select multiple flight lines. Or drag to select multiple flight lines.
   • After editing the flight lines, the Status will change to Edited to indicate a change has been made. Any edits made within Edit Mode will automatically be saved.
4. The flight line layer should be created, and the flight lines displayed in blue in the map view.
   • Results can be changed by changing the parameters and selecting Compute Flight Lines again. The existing lines will be replaced with the results from the new settings.

3.3. Geocoding point cloud

1- Go to Sensor ribbon --> Geocoding tool
2- Select the Clip Angle
Tip: clip angles is 50% of the FOV, if we select 40 deg clip angle means 80 deg FOV. The maximum TV1 LiDAR FOV is 120 degrees. For most of the works it is recommended to work with 40 deg Clip Angle or 80 deg FOV
3- Select the Clip Range
Tip: If you want to generate all the points with no filter, uncheck "Clip Angle" and "Clip Range".

4- Press "Submit"
5- Go to "Job manager" to monitor the processing status

6- Once the job is completed, it will appear as "Ready" in the "Job manager" --> Select it--> Press "Complete Job"

Geocoding will generate a the point cloud divided by flight lines

4. Strip Adjustment

The next step will be to verify the alignment of the flight lines and correct it. For that we should perform cross sections in the overlap areas between flight lines. It is recommended to perform this sections in flat areas, buildings are especially useful for it.
We can also use tools like "Surface Precision" to verify the alignment across the flight or between multiple flights. After we have verify the alignment, we proceed to correct it.
Strip Adjustment tool requires the license addon "Strip Adjustment"

1- Go to Sensor ribbon --> Strip Adjustment
2- Select the LAS to align.
Tip: You can select multiple flights. If you do it, the tool will correct any misalignment between flights. However, if one flight has significant error (or bias), it will introduce error into the new Strip Adjustment layer.
3- Press "Submit Strip Adjustment Job"

4- Go to "Job manager" --> Check the processing status
5- Once Strip Adjustment finish the status will change to "Ready" --> Select the job--> Click "Complete job"

Strip Adjustment will create a new LAS. This new LAS has all the misalignments corrected. Example:

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After this step we recommend continuing with the True View recommended workflow. Some of the steps recommended are "Smoothing", "Control Points", "Outliers removal" or "Ground Classification".