Digital Aerial Sketchmapping and Downlink Communications: A New Tool for Fire Managers
Aerial sketchmapping is the geolocating of features that are seen on the ground below an aircraft and the subsequent recording of those features. Traditional aerial sketchmapping methods required hand-sketching on hardcopy maps or photos and the translation of that information to a digital file. In 1996, the USDA Forest Service embarked on a project to develop a digital aerial sketchmapping system (D-ASM) to replace or augment the traditional (manual) methodology. Advances in microprocessor speed and PC system performance made possible the use of portable computers to aid in aerial sketchmapping. The USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) and the Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET) worked with a software vendor to develop a product that would meet the needs of aerial surveyors. Several hardware and software options were investigated.
The Remote Internet Protocol Communications System (RIPCom) culminated from a successful 2-year collaboration between NASA-Goddard and RSAC to develop a cost-effective, multi-task communications solution for the Forest Service based on NASA expertise. The RIPCom consists of commercial off-the-shelf components that were each chosen because of their desirable performance characteristics. The 2003-2004 field tests demonstrated that the RIPCom would deliver the required data throughput (1 Mbps) up to a range of 20 miles. A contractor constructed the second generation RIPCom system incorporating the lessons learned from flight testing and operational deployments.
The planned integration of the D-ASM and RIPCom systems will enable fire fighting experts to collect information about an incident (fire perimeter and hotspot locations) on the D-ASM and rapidly disseminate this information, via wireless devices, to the incident’s GIS technician or directly to fire fighters on the ground. Potential system users within the wildfire community include Air Attack, Helitack, Situation Unit Leaders, Operations Chiefs, and Incident Commanders.
- Introduction - Aerial Sketchmapping : Aerial sketchmapping for Forest Health Protection has been conducted since the 1940s.
- D-ASM Mapping Software : With this software, feature type keys (point, line, and polygon) are used to display the aircraft’s position on the on-screen map, and a user-defined keypad is used to attribute features.
- D-ASM Mapping Hardware : Two computing options have been tested and are in use in Forest Service sketchmapping systems: a two-screen laptop-based system with a separate touchscreen, and a pen-tablet sketchmapping table.
- RIPCom Background : RSAC has been working with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) on adapting technology NASA has developed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to Forest Service applications.
- Flight Tests : Initial flight-testing of the RIPCom system took place near Boise, Idaho, the week of April 14-19, 2003.
- RIPCom 2 : The April 2003 flight tests were an unqualified success based on the National Infrared Operations (NIROPS) requirement for long-range broadband real-time transmission of high-resolution imagery acceptable by the Infrared Interpreter (IRIN).
- Summary : By integrating two successful technologies, the Forest Service is working to create a new tool that will allow fire managers to relay critical fire information to dispersed field units in real time.
Encyclopedia ID: p3364
