CNE’s Use of Drone-Mounted LiDAR for Aerial Pole Fielding

At CNE, we’re pushing the boundaries of precision and efficiency in fiber optic construction projects through cutting-edge drone-mounted LiDAR technology. In partnership with Moore Engineering, we’re transforming traditional pole fielding—a critical step in fiber optic projects that use existing utility poles.

Traditional Pole Fielding vs. Drone-Mounted LiDAR

For fiber projects that involve aerial construction, pole fielding is essential to verify pole details and perform a pole loading analysis. This process traditionally relied on two-person crews to conduct measurements and analyses from the ground. Their tasks included calculating pole heights, measuring line lengths, recording ground clearances, and documenting vegetation. While accurate, this method was time-intensive and required substantial labor to cover large project areas.

However, drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology can streamline the pole fielding process. LiDAR discharges laser pulses to measure distances, capturing data at an astonishing rate of 700,000 points per second with an accuracy of 2 centimeters. This allows us to create comprehensive 3D models of the project area—including poles, lines, surrounding topography, trees, and grass.

Faster, More Efficient, and Highly Accurate

Drone LiDAR delivers a host of benefits. It’s quick to mobilize, reduces labor requirements, and produces highly accurate data in a fraction of the time, leading to a faster-completed project design. A traditional crew might field around 70 poles per day, but with drone LiDAR, we can capture up to 500 poles in the same timeframe, vastly increasing project efficiency.

Once collected, the data generates a point cloud that acts as a 3D representation of the site. This point cloud allows us to take precise measurements, isolate specific elements, and build detailed 3D models of existing structures. The level of detail also allows us to simulate conditions such as wind and ice load, providing insights into the strength and reliability of utility poles and helping us determine if reinforcement is necessary.

A New Era in Pole Fielding

Using drone-mounted LiDAR accelerates project timelines and enhances data quality for more accurate project design. The result is a faster, more efficient pole fielding process that benefits our clients through reduced labor, increased accuracy, and a faster path to project completion.

Want to know more about how drone-mounted LiDAR can transform your project? Contact us today to see how we can help you with your project or LiDAR technology needs.