4P Systems: Getting Started

Step 1: Create Your Account

The first step in getting started with your SlantRange system is to set up a new account on analytics.slantrange.com. From here, you can view license information, download needed software, and reference support information.

1. Create an account on analytics.slantrange.com
2. Download the latest version of:
   1. SlantView
   2. 4P/4P+ Sensor Toolbox

Step 2: Mounting Your 4P System

The next step in system setup is to ensure your sensor and AIS are mounted correctly, at the right orientation and angle.

Key Points:

• The Field Sensor and AIS are directional, please pay close attention to mounting them forward facing as shown above.
• Ensure the AIS cable clicks into both the AIS and sensor port for secure connection
• To mount sensor to DJI's Skyport, align the white dot on the sensor to red dot on the drone. Insert and twist sensor counter-clockwise to lock. Press button and twist clockwise to release.

Step 3: Compass Calibration

Once the system is installed, please complete a compass calibration outdoors and away from metal objects, This only needs to be done once, unless the sensor travels more than 500 miles or new hardware is installed onto the aircraft. 

Video Instructions:

Step 4: Flight Planning

Video instructions:

Flight Planning: Key Points

• Use a SlantRange flight calculator for altitude and speed recommendations. SlantRange calculators are available in supported flight planners.
• To produce maps in SlantView, images must be collected in a lawnmower pattern. Fly forward at all times, never ""hand fly"" a mission, and extend the legs of your flight plan past the field boundary.
• SlantRange sensors can produce a dataset with as little as 20% sidelap in good conditions. Most datasets are collected in a range of 20-40% sidelap. We recommend starting at 40% sidelap and working your way down as you gain more familiarity with the system.
• Depending on the type of data collection, you may need to input plant size information into the SlantRange Calculator. Make the plant measurements as shown from above: for non-symmetrical plants the length is the long dimension, width is the short dimension. For more circular plants, enter the diameter as the length and width. Plant height is not used as a factor in this calculation.

Step 5: Collect Your Data 

1. Power on aircraft, and SlantRange sensor.
2. Open mission in desired flight planning app, modify as needed
3. Make sure AIS is not shaded, and has a clear view of the sky.
4. Wait for a solid red, green, yellow light. Press button and release when light turns yellow. When the light blinks green, your system is ready.
5. Start the mission through your flight planning app.
6. Monitor aircraft and surrounding airspace while in flight.
7. After landing, finish the data collection by pressing the AIS button and releasing when it turns yellow, wait for solid green, yellow, and red lights on AIS.
8. Power down the aircraft and SlantRange sensor.

Step 6: Post-Flight Quality Check

Step 7: Interacting With Your Data in SlantView

Once a Dataset is processed, SlantView's menus and toolbars offer a variety of options for gathering the information you need. This article contains a comprehensive resource for interacting with your data in SlantView.