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Systems and methods for obtaining accurate 3D modeling data using UAVS for cell sites

  • US 10,192,354 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2016
  • Issued: 01/29/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for developing a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to obtain photos and/or video, the method comprising:

  • preparing the UAV for flight and programming an autonomous flight path about a cell tower at the cell site, wherein the autonomous flight path comprises a substantially circular flight path about the cell tower with one or more cameras on the UAV facing the cell tower;

    flying the UAV around the cell tower in a plurality of orbits comprising at least four orbits each with a different set of characteristics of altitude, radius, and camera angle, wherein the flying comprises four orbits for a monopole cell tower and at least five orbits for a self-support/guyed cell tower;

    obtaining photos and/or video of the cell tower, the cell site, and cell site components during each of the plurality of orbits; and

    using the photos and/or video to develop the three-dimensional (3D) model of the cell site,wherein the altitude of the UAV for most of the plurality of orbits is set slightly above the cell tower with the camera angled down,wherein the plurality of orbits are at least four orbits with an orbit for each of (i) capturing the entire cell tower and surrounding compounds in frames of the photos and/or video;

    (ii) capturing radiation centers of the cell tower;

    (iii) capturing all of the cell site components; and

    (iv) capturing all of surroundings of the cell site, andwherein the photos are taken with between about 75% and 80% overlap for processing to create the three-dimensional (3D) model.

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