An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation

The downwelling light sensor (DLS) is the industry-standard solution for generating UAV-based digital orthophoto maps (DOMs). Current mainstream DLS correction methods primarily rely on angle compensation. However, due to the temporal mismatch between the DLS sampling intervals and the exposure time...

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Main Authors: Siyao Wu, Yanan Lu, Wei Fan, Shengmao Zhang, Zuli Wu, Fei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Drones
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/491
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author Siyao Wu
Yanan Lu
Wei Fan
Shengmao Zhang
Zuli Wu
Fei Wang
author_facet Siyao Wu
Yanan Lu
Wei Fan
Shengmao Zhang
Zuli Wu
Fei Wang
author_sort Siyao Wu
collection DOAJ
description The downwelling light sensor (DLS) is the industry-standard solution for generating UAV-based digital orthophoto maps (DOMs). Current mainstream DLS correction methods primarily rely on angle compensation. However, due to the temporal mismatch between the DLS sampling intervals and the exposure times of multispectral cameras, as well as external disturbances such as strong wind gusts and abrupt changes in flight attitude, DLS data often become unreliable, particularly at UAV turning points. Building upon traditional angle compensation methods, this study proposes an improved correction approach—FIM-DC (Fitting and Interpolation Model-based Data Correction)—specifically designed for data collection under clear-sky conditions and stable atmospheric illumination, with the goal of significantly enhancing the accuracy of reflectance retrieval. The method addresses three key issues: (1) field tests conducted in the Qingpu region show that FIM-DC markedly reduces the standard deviation of reflectance at tie points across multiple spectral bands and flight sessions, with the most substantial reduction from 15.07% to 0.58%; (2) it effectively mitigates inconsistencies in reflectance within image mosaics caused by anomalous DLS readings, thereby improving the uniformity of DOMs; and (3) FIM-DC accurately corrects the spectral curves of six land cover types in anomalous images, making them consistent with those from non-anomalous images. In summary, this study demonstrates that integrating FIM-DC into DLS data correction workflows for UAV-based multispectral imagery significantly enhances reflectance calculation accuracy and provides a robust solution for improving image quality under stable illumination conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-d2386544bf9544d4934b2249ef4f6e8a2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-07-019749110.3390/drones9070491An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM GenerationSiyao Wu0Yanan Lu1Wei Fan2Shengmao Zhang3Zuli Wu4Fei Wang5Key Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaThe downwelling light sensor (DLS) is the industry-standard solution for generating UAV-based digital orthophoto maps (DOMs). Current mainstream DLS correction methods primarily rely on angle compensation. However, due to the temporal mismatch between the DLS sampling intervals and the exposure times of multispectral cameras, as well as external disturbances such as strong wind gusts and abrupt changes in flight attitude, DLS data often become unreliable, particularly at UAV turning points. Building upon traditional angle compensation methods, this study proposes an improved correction approach—FIM-DC (Fitting and Interpolation Model-based Data Correction)—specifically designed for data collection under clear-sky conditions and stable atmospheric illumination, with the goal of significantly enhancing the accuracy of reflectance retrieval. The method addresses three key issues: (1) field tests conducted in the Qingpu region show that FIM-DC markedly reduces the standard deviation of reflectance at tie points across multiple spectral bands and flight sessions, with the most substantial reduction from 15.07% to 0.58%; (2) it effectively mitigates inconsistencies in reflectance within image mosaics caused by anomalous DLS readings, thereby improving the uniformity of DOMs; and (3) FIM-DC accurately corrects the spectral curves of six land cover types in anomalous images, making them consistent with those from non-anomalous images. In summary, this study demonstrates that integrating FIM-DC into DLS data correction workflows for UAV-based multispectral imagery significantly enhances reflectance calculation accuracy and provides a robust solution for improving image quality under stable illumination conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/491rotary-wing UAVDLSreflectancecurve fitting
spellingShingle Siyao Wu
Yanan Lu
Wei Fan
Shengmao Zhang
Zuli Wu
Fei Wang
An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
Drones
rotary-wing UAV
DLS
reflectance
curve fitting
title An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
title_full An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
title_fullStr An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
title_full_unstemmed An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
title_short An Efficient Downwelling Light Sensor Data Correction Model for UAV Multi-Spectral Image DOM Generation
title_sort efficient downwelling light sensor data correction model for uav multi spectral image dom generation
topic rotary-wing UAV
DLS
reflectance
curve fitting
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/7/491
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