Pre-Flight Checklist for PPK Scans #
☐ Flight Plan Preparation
- Confirm Mission Requirements:
- Power on sensor.
- Static initialization for period of 30 seconds to one minutes while recording data on the ground (if you can do a couple of minutes, even better, but 30 seconds to one minute is sufficient for PPK).
- After takeoff, get up to altitude, then fly laterally (high velocity to engage navigation filter/heading corrections), at least 5m/s for 5 seconds.
- Perform a figure 8 (programmed into flight plan);
- Perform mission. For mission avoid sharp turns, smooth turns are critical. In corridor mapping consider S-shaped dynamics every ~2-3 minutes of straight corridor lines. You may land and hot-swap batteries as needed without needing to perform calibrations again as long as you do not terminate logging or shut off the drone/sensor.
- After flight mission is complete, perform another figure 8 (also programmed into flight plan).
- Fly laterally (high velocity to engage navigation filter/heading corrections in reverse solution), at least 5m/s for 5 seconds.
- After landing perform static initialization for period of 30 seconds to one minute on the ground.
- Shut down sensor.
☐ Mission Area Assessment
- Choose a take-off and landing location with strong GNSS signal quality.
- Avoid proximity to trees, buildings, or reflective surfaces.
- Confirm no nearby interference from radios or obstructions.
☐ High Altitude Flight Preparation
- If flying above 50 meters AGL, and using a Livox Avia, enable High Sensitivity Mode:
- GUI → Settings > LiDAR Service → Enable “High Sensitivity Mode”
- For XT-32 scanners, no change is required.
☐ Base Station Setup (if applicable)
- Place the base station in an open area with clear sky view.
- It should record all available GNSS constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, Navic).
- Confirm that it records in a PCMasterPro-compatible format.
- If using a public base station, ensure it is within 40 km of the flight area (preferably closer).
☐ Power Connection
- Connect RESEPI or equivalent to power via one of the following:
- XT60
- Skyport/Other
- Binder Connector
- Ethernet (GEN-II only)
- Ensure power supply is 9–36VDC (up to 45V max) with 24–28W available.
☐ Web Interface Access
- Connect to the RESEPI’s or EchoONE’s Wi-Fi.
- SSID is printed on the unit label.
- Password: LidarAndINS
- Access the Web GUI at 192.168.12.1 using a laptop or mobile device.
☐ Data Management
- Offload all data and flights from the USB drive and/or SSD to ensure adequate space.
☐ USB and Storage Verification
- Use only the provided RESEPI-certified USB drive.
- Confirm that the USB is securely inserted into a supported port.
- Avoid using ports reserved for other onboard components (e.g., camera).
☐ Firmware Check
- Ensure the RESEPI or EchoONE is running the latest firmware version.
- You can find the firmware version in the top right corner of the GUI.
☐ Vehicle to IMU Rotation
- Go to Settings > Geometry > Vehicle to IMU Rotation.
- Ensure the rotation offsets reflect the mounted orientation on the aircraft.
- Incorrect values can likely cause post-processing alignment errors.
- Click Save after confirming or adjusting the values.
☐ Antenna Lever Arm Offsets (Optional, but recommended)
- Go to Settings > Geometry > IMU to Antenna Offset.
- Enter the accurate lever arm values (X, Y, Z) in meters.
☐ GNSS Time Fix (REQUIRED)
- Connect the GNSS antenna to payload securely.
- Power the unit outdoors in a GNSS-visible area before flight.
- In the GUI, confirm the INS status shows:
- Current date and time
- Message: “Ready to log”
- Do not begin data capture without this message.
☐ Camera Trigger Configuration
- Adjust the trigger period based on planned flight speed:
- Example: 5 m/s → 5 seconds
- Faster speeds → shorter intervals (e.g., 10 m/s → 2.5 seconds)
- Avoid high trigger rates at slow speeds to prevent blurry or redundant images.
- Confirm trigger settings are applied via the GUI.
☐ Final System Check
- Ensure all cables are secure (power, antenna, USB, trigger, etc.).
- Confirm that the LiDAR sensor is unobstructed by props or mounting hardware.
- Recheck USB/SSD status in the GUI.
- Ensure drone is static before recording to ensure IMU settles for alignment.
You are now ready to take off for the mission.
A clear demonstration of preparing the RESEPI for a mission and recording data is shown in the video posted below.
Prefer a printable version? Click the link below to download the checklist as a PDF. Great for offline use or keeping a hard copy in the field.