The VQ-680 OEM is a compact airborne LiDAR scanner module designed for integration with large-format photogrammetric aerial camera systems that are configured for urban mapping applications. The VQ-680 OEM’s form factor has been optimized to provide a compact scanner with a small exit aperture, given the limited space in, e.g., photogrammetric oblique camera configurations.
The LiDAR scanner module includes an innovative scanning mechanism that provides forward, nadir, and backward scan lines at +20/+10/0/-10/-20 degrees in the flight direction. In combination with a wide horiontal field of view of 60 degrees a regular point spacing for each viewing direction is generated, enabling exceptional coverage of vertical structures such as building facades, as well as coverage at the bottom of narrow street canyons with little to no shadowing.
The operational envelope ranges from typical flying altitudes of 1000 m AGL at a pulse repetition rate of 2.4 MHz (~ 24 pts/m2 at 120 kts), up to 2300 m AGL at a PRR of 300 kHz for targets with reflectivity in excess of 20%. Electrical interfaces comprise of a power supply, PPS and NMEA time synchronization, and a laser safety connector. Scan data is stored on an external PC via Gigabit Ethernet, which is also used for configuring and controlling the laser scanner via RiACQUIRE, RIEGL‘s versatile data acquisition software featuring a GUI, real-time data visualization and remote control capabilities.
A sturdy mechanical interface enables mounting the LiDAR module inside a camera system rigidly connected with the IMU/GNSS system and various camera modules.