FALCON II > Scan Pattern
  To generate a geometrically stable scan pattern, TopoSys uses a glass fiber scanner in the Falcon II system. Alternative deflecting mechanisms, such as a swiveling mirror or a rotating polygon, do not guarantee the mechanical stability and constant alignment of the measuring beams. In a fiber scanner the laser light is directed to the ground by a linearly disposed glass fiber bundle and the echo is received by a further glass fiber bundle of identical design.
 

Operating principle of a fiber scanner
  An area-wide elevation model is produced by the aircraft (and thus the sensor) moving forwards, measuring a multitude of points. They form a regular pattern oriented to the flight path. The very high, efficient measuring frequency of over 83,000 per second and the resultant coverage of the measuring points permit a plausibility check of metrological importance for the distance measurements. The confidence level of the results is significantly increased as a result.
 

Scan pattern of Falcon II

 To achieve higher resolution of the elevation models and improved ground coverage, TopoSys introduced the “swing mode” into the scanning method mid-2003. The diagram clearly shows the advantage of the optimized measuring operation.


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