This document describes the simple workflow of capturing accurate cell tower data using the Drone Harmony Tower Scanner.
Tower Scanner is a stand-alone Android mobile application combined with the Drone Harmony Web App. Some steps of the planning workflow can be done in both apps. In such cases, the workflow in both apps is presented below.
The app is designed to allow a good combination of flexibility and simplicity. Drone Harmony supports customers and partners with training. If you are interested, please reach out to sales@droneharmony.com
Installation and License
Tower Scanner requires a Drone Harmony Enterprise license to use. If you still do not have one, please contact sales@droneharmony.com.
To install the app, download the installation file (*.apk) from this link: towerscanner.droneharmony.com and install it on your mobile device (or DJI Controller, e.g., Smart Controller).
The web app is accessible in your browser through the usual link: app.droneharmony.com
Flight Planning (5-7 minutes)
Mission planning contains two short steps: Tower Setup and Flight Planning.
Step 1: Tower Setup
The following steps are required to set up a tower model. The 3D view helps you visualize the tower model you are creating.
- Choose the tower tool
- Place the tower center
- Provide a name, the height, and width of the tower
- Create antenna racks (zero or more)
- Confirm by clicking on “Create Tower”
Important: If you created the tower in the web app, you should save it as a Site before proceeding to flight execution.
Tips:
- You can add more than one antenna rack.
- You do not need to position the tower center very accurately during the planning stage. This position will be calibrated during flight execution.
- If you are creating the tower in the web app, you can use exact GPS coordinates as an input form for the tower center.
Step 2: Flight planning
The following steps will allow you to plan a flight mission.
- Tap on the “+” sign both in map view and 3D view to enter the plan catalog in the mobile app. In the web app, it is the blue “+” in the bottom right corner. Choose the desired flight pattern.
- Choose take-off and landing location.
- Adjust mission parameters if needed. Previously parameters will be cached.
Mobile: Tap the orange button to finish.
Web: Click on “Save” to finish - The mission is ready
Flight Execution (10-30 minutes)
The flight execution requires the drone to be connected. You will see the drone telemetry and the FPV view appear on the screen.
Calibration
The calibration is a short special mission that is designed to ensure that the flight execution is accurate and safe.
The calibration process would start automatically before each mission launch, it is a short manual 2-step mission that includes horizontal and vertical calibration.
Vertical Calibration (calibration of the tower`s height)
1. Fly the drone manually to the height of the tower top
2. Direct the camera gimbal forward (pitch 0 degrees)
3. Approve the calibration when the drone is exactly at the same height as the tower top
Horizontal Calibration (calibration of the lat/long position of the tower)
- Fly the drone above the tower and direct the gimbal down (-90 degrees)
- Approve the calibration once the tower is well-centered in the Red Cross
You can always reset the results of the previous calibration or initiate the same calibration process as before the mission launch, here are the steps to access it:
- Choose Menu -> Drone -> Calibration
Once the tower center is calibrated, a green circle will appear on the telemetry panel at the top of the screen. You will also see the shift that was made with calibration when tapping on the green circle.
Mission Execution
After the tower position has been calibrated, flight missions can be executed.
Mobile App
- Tap on the mission tab and choose the mission to execute.
- Tap on Launch to prompt the launch dialogue
- Choose launch parameters.
Important parameters:
- Flight speed (recommended is around ~ 1.1 m/s, so camera shutter will have enough time)
- RTH Altitude (set to be higher than the tower)
- Launch Type (Waypoint is recommended)
- Recording Type (Photo Non-stopping is recommended)
- Focus Handling (By default set to automatic handling by app, could be set to manual by operator)
- Dewarping (Depends on the post-processing which you are going to make after data collection)
Parameter choices will be cached for future flight executions.
4. During Automated flight execution, monitor the flight.
For technical questions, please contact support@droneharmony.com
For sales/business questions, please contact sales@droneharmony.com
