Precision at every altitude:
Terrain-following LiDAR enhancing drone operations
When navigating challenging environments, maintaining altitude precision is not just important – it’s critical. LightWare’s terrain-following LiDAR offers drone operators a high-accuracy, low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) solution designed for real-world terrain tracking. Whether flying over forests, hills, or construction sites, this technology ensures that drones maintain the ideal altitude – enhancing mission safety, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
What is terrain following in the context of LiDAR?
Terrain following refers to a drone’s ability to maintain a consistent altitude above ground level (AGL) regardless of the terrain beneath it. LightWare’s terrain-following LiDAR systems provide drones with real-time altitude feedback, by measuring the distance between the UAV and the ground surface.
Unlike GPS, which can be unreliable in steep or remote areas, LiDAR for terrain following offers direct line-of-sight measurement – ideal for precision mapping, automated landings, and obstacle avoidance. LightWare LiDAR laser rangefinders allow drones to “read” the landscape dynamically, adjusting altitude to match changes in elevation instantly. This ensures flawless operation, even in challenging environments.
Key benefits of Lightware’s terrain-following LiDAR
LightWare’s microLiDAR® sensors are uniquely suited for terrain tracking in drone operations due to the following features:
- Ultra-lightweight and compact: Perfect for UAV integration, including small drones with strict weight limits.
- High accuracy and reliability: Real-time altitude data ensures smoother terrain navigation, even in GPS-denied environments.
- NDAA Compliant: Trusted, secure, and compliant for use in government and security applications.
- Rugged and all-weather: Performs reliably in dust, rain, and darkness – essential for autonomous missions in diverse conditions.
- Plug-and-play integration: Compatible with leading UAV platforms and open-source systems inlcuding ArduPilot and PX4, reducing setup friction for engineers and developers.
With a LightWare LiDAR rangefinder you’re equipping your drone with proven technology that ensures precise, autonomous flight across varied terrain.
Ideal microLiDAR® sensors for terrain
following applications
$399.00 excl. Taxes
The SF30/D microLiDAR® is our most powerful sensor. This 200m sensor is known for its high speed, accuracy and performs well in even the most challenging conditions.
$299.00 excl. Taxes
The SF30/C microLiDAR® is a member of our 20kHz sensor family. This versatile 100m sensor performs well in high-speed drone and Sensing & Automation applications.
$279.00 excl. Taxes
The SF20/C microLiDAR® is well established in the industry and recognized for its ease of integration. This lightweight sensor delivers reliable results at 100m.
$339.00 excl. Taxes
The LightWare LW20/HA microLiDAR® is a high accuracy, ultra compact, LiDAR in an IP67 enclosure.
$299.00 excl. Taxes
The LW20/C microLiDAR® is the industry de facto standard for 100m range capability, reliability, and ease of integration. A robust IP67 rating ensures it is dust and water-resistant.
$399.00 excl. Taxes
The GRF-500 enhances the mid-range rangefinding capabilities of your Electro-Optical/Infrared gimbal system, improving camera functionality and enabling precise localization of observed objects.
$349.00 excl. Taxes
The GRF-250 enhances the mid-range rangefinding capabilities of your Electro-Optical/Infrared gimbal system, improving camera functionality and enabling precise localization of observed objects.
Where terrain-following LiDAR shines
LightWare’s terrain-following LiDAR is engineered for use in a wide range of drone-based applications, including:
- Surveillance and security: Navigate drones safely over uneven terrain or rugged landscapes during surveillance and reconnaissance.
- Precision agriculture: Maintain constant height for uniform crop spraying or field scanning, ensuring effective agricultural operations.
- Autonomous landings: Safely land on dynamic or inclined surfaces by gauging proximity in real-time, ensuring safe autonomous landings even on moving platforms or unstable ground. Learn more about LiDAR for landing on a moving platform.
- Infrastructure inspection: Fly at fixed AGL over roads, bridges, or pipelines for consistent data acquisition, critical for inspections and monitoring.
- Environmental monitoring: Glide above forests, coastlines, or mountains while capturing consistent AGL measurements for ecological studies and conservation efforts.
For advanced operations, such as landing on a moving platform or detect and avoid, terrain following is a foundational capability – and Lightware’s LiDAR delivers that and more. Learn more about LiDAR for detect and avoid.
The bottom line
In drone technology, precision is power. LightWare’s terrain-following LiDAR provides the consistent altitude control drones need to operate safely and effectively across varied environments. Whether you’re an engineer, researcher, or drone manufacturer, Lightware offers the precision, reliability, and compliance your application demands.
If your UAV operations require consistent AGL data, seamless integration, and government-grade compliance, it’s time to improve your system with Lightware.
Contact us today to learn how our terrain-following LiDAR can support your mission.
Need assistance regarding this application or any of its products?
We offer technical support to ensure you are matched with the product that best meets your requirements.
our clients’ stories
LightWare microLiDAR® is proud to support our pioneering clients as they deliver innovative solutions in their respective industries. Here’s how they apply LiDAR and what they have to say about our microlidar® sensors.
CubePilot Global
Flying for WildLife
