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Reaching New Depths: New RIEGL Laser Scanning Solutions for Bathymetric Data Acquisition

By Eric Van Rees - 23rd February 2024 - 11:01

RIEGL reached new depths in LiDAR topo-bathymetry with their latest sensor announcements at Geo Week 2024, Denver, CO, USA.

RIEGL’s topo-bathymetric airborne product portfolio has been further expanded to address the growing needs of the US Geological Survey’s 3D Hydrography Program, NOAA’s National Bathymetric Source, as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers’ water management initiatives. With the launch of two new mid-sized sensors, the VQ-860-G and the VQ-840-GE, RIEGL topo-bathymetric sensors are capable of greater flexibility with respect to platform compatibility and can now be deployed on many variations of airborne platforms, including: small aircraft, helicopters, and larger UAVs, particularly as it relates to inland waters data collection in complex terrain where larger aircraft may be un-suitable. These new sensors provide a more economical alternative to inland and coastal topo-bathymetric data collection while maintaining high point-density capability and improved depth performance with a cost-effective entry to the market.

So, let’s dive into what is new for RIEGL Bathymetric Products:

RIEGL VQ-860-G


– High Performance Topo-Bathymetric Airborne Laser Scanner

The RIEGL VQ-860-G offers increased performance and enhanced depth penetration > 2.5 secchi depths for helicopter and small-aircraft installations when surveying in-land and near shore waters. This compact and versatile system features both online and full waveform data capture capability, as well as a programmable receiver field-of-view (FOV) for maximizing depth penetration in water bodies with low bottom reflectivity. The self-contained system includes a 532nm green laser source, internal metric camera, as well as internal high-accuracy INS/GNSS solution and supporting flight management system.

Specs at a glance:

*Compact form factor (~18 kg with AP+50 OEM INS/GNSS system and internal 24 MP camera)
*Programmable emission rates (0.5 – 50 kHz)
*Water penetration > 2.5 Secchi depths
*Online and full waveform recording
*Configurable beam divergence and receiver FOV
*For more information: RIEGL VQ-860-G

RIEGL VQ-840-GE


– Compact and Robust Topo-Bathymetric Airborne Laser Scanner

The RIEGL VQ-840-GE expands the proven VQ-840-G series of topo-bathymetric airborne laser scanners with a compact and robust design, prepared for integration onto UAVs, but also suitable for use on crewed helicopters and for integration in stabilized platforms.

Specs at a glance:

*Compact form factor (<10kg with AP+20 INS/GNSS and camera)
*High spatial resolution (12.5 – 50 kHz)
*Water penetration up to 2 Secchi depths
*Discrete and full waveform recording
*Configurable beam divergence
*For more information: RIEGL VQ-840-GE

More information RIEGL VQ-840-GE

Link to original blog post

riegl geo week 2024 1200

www.riegl.com

Read More: Bathymetry Laser Scanning Marine Surveying

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