THE DRONE GLOSSARY
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A plain-language reference for terms you will meet in flight planning, thermal imagery, mapping and 3D work. Follow the related guides for context, limitations and primary sources.
38 terms
- Conduction
Heat transfer through matter, influenced by the materials and geometry of the assembly.
Read the guide- Convection
Heat transfer associated with the movement of a fluid such as air. Wind or ventilation can influence surface patterns.
Read the guide- Reflected apparent temperature
A parameter describing the apparent radiant contribution of surroundings reflected toward the camera. It is not simply the air temperature.
Read the guide- Thermal sensitivity
The ability to distinguish small thermal signal differences under specified conditions; different from absolute temperature accuracy.
Read the guide- Thermal span
The width of the displayed temperature interval. Changing it changes contrast, without changing the underlying values.
Read the guide- Thermal lag
A delayed temperature response associated with heat storage and transfer. It depends on material, mass and conditions.
Read the guide- AGL
Above ground level. A height measured relative to the terrain below the aircraft; different from elevation above mean sea level.
Read the guide- Autonomy
A system’s ability to perform defined tasks with software and sensors. Automated behavior still needs an operating concept, oversight and applicable authorization.
Read the guide- Checkpoint
An independently surveyed point withheld from adjustment and used to evaluate a geospatial product’s positional accuracy.
Read the guide- Deliverable
The agreed file or presentation the client receives, such as edited photographs, an orthomosaic, a model or a dated documentation set.
Read the guide- DSM
Digital surface model. A height representation that includes visible surfaces such as buildings and vegetation. It does not automatically represent bare ground.
Read the guide- DTM
Digital terrain model. A terrain representation intended to describe ground; its suitability depends on ground observations, classification and quality review.
Read the guide- Emissivity
A surface’s effectiveness at emitting thermal radiation. Material, finish and viewing conditions matter when interpreting apparent temperature.
Read the guide- EXIF
Image metadata that can include camera settings, time and positioning. Processing originals may need it even when public image derivatives have it removed.
Read the guide- GCP
Ground control point. A known surveyed position used to help constrain a mapping or reconstruction solution.
Read the guide- Georeferencing
Relating imagery or a model to a spatial coordinate system. Being located on a map does not, by itself, establish measured accuracy.
Read the guide- GeoTIFF
A raster file format that can carry geospatial referencing information. Confirm the coordinate system, units and intended software with the recipient.
Read the guide- GSD
Ground sampling distance. The ground distance represented by an image pixel under the stated geometry. Small pixels do not prove positional accuracy.
Read the guide- LAANC
The FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, used to request certain controlled-airspace authorizations through approved service suppliers.
Read the guide- LiDAR
Light detection and ranging. A ranging method using laser pulses; it is different from reconstructing surfaces from photographs.
Read the guide- Mesh
A surface made from connected polygons, often triangles. It may be generated from a point cloud and later textured.
Read the guide- Nadir
A camera view directed toward the ground beneath the aircraft. It is commonly used in mapping capture.
Read the guide- Oblique
A camera view angled away from straight down. It can add visibility of facades and vertical features.
Read the guide- Orthomosaic
A combined, geometrically corrected image intended to behave as a map-like overhead view. Quality depends on capture, reconstruction, referencing and validation.
Read the guide- Overlap
Shared scene coverage between photographs. Shared features help photogrammetry connect views; the appropriate capture plan depends on the subject and method.
Read the guide- Part 107
The FAA rules governing many small unmanned aircraft operations in the United States. Certification is one part of the operating requirements.
Read the guide- Photogrammetry
Deriving spatial information from photographs by relating common features across views. It combines planned capture with processing and quality checks.
Read the guide- Point cloud
A collection of points representing sampled or reconstructed positions in space. Points can also have color or other attributes.
Read the guide- PPK
Post-processed kinematic positioning. Positioning corrections applied after capture using appropriate observations and a processing workflow.
Read the guide- Radiometric image
Thermal data that retains measurement-related information for its pixels. A colored JPEG or screenshot may not retain that underlying information.
Read the guide- Remote ID
A broadcast-identification framework for drones under applicable FAA requirements. Check the aircraft and operation’s compliance.
Read the guide- RPIC
Remote pilot in command. The person responsible for the operation and its safety under the applicable operating framework.
Read the guide- RTK
Real-time kinematic positioning. A correction-based positioning method; final mapping accuracy still depends on the entire capture and validation workflow.
Read the guide- Super-resolution
A processing output that increases pixel dimensions. It should not be confused with a thermal detector’s native pixel count.
Read the guide- Texture
Image information applied to a model’s surface to make its appearance easier to understand. Texture is different from geometric accuracy.
Read the guide- Thermal contrast
A difference in apparent thermal response between a subject and its surroundings. Contrast and visibility affect useful interpretation.
Read the guide- VLOS
Visual line of sight. Seeing and monitoring the aircraft as required by the applicable operating rules; a video feed does not automatically replace it.
Read the guide- Waypoint
A planned location or action in a mission sequence. The route still needs site checks, pilot supervision and a response to changing conditions.
Read the guide
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