News

Improved Performance of the VQ-580 Airborne Laser Scanner

The RIEGL VQ-580 is now capable of measurement ranges of up to 2350 m. First introduced at Intergeo 2010, the scanner was presented as a unique solution for surveying applications in glacier and snowfield as well as moist grassland mapping.

Equipped with a state-of-the art laser source emitting laser pulses of a wavelength especially suitable for measurements on snow and ice, the VQ-580 now offers pulse repetition rates up to 380 kHz resulting in an effective measurement rate of up to 190 000 measurements / sec.

The VQ-580 provides 6 measurement programs with pulse repetition rates of 50kHz, 100kHz, 150kHz, 200 kHz, 300 kHz and 380kHz to be ideally adapted to the requirements of the application in question. Depending on the chosen measurement program a maximum measurement range of up to 2350 m for natural targets at 60% target reflectivity and an operating flight altitude up to 3950 ft can be achieved. A high scan rate of up to 200 lines/sec. and a constant 60° field of view are the basis for an evenly distributed point pattern of highest resolution.

The scanner design provides a stable mounting base block on the rear side of the instrument for comfortable installation in hanging position. Further mounting threads on top and bottom offer additional mounting possibilities. All three sides are further designed for installation of an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

An overview of the sum of technical data is to be found in the RIEGL VQ-580 datasheet and in the airborne scanner overview.