„NFB“ (Nadir/Forward/Backward) Scanning UAV LiDAR Sensor

NEWRIEGL VUX-160®

• measurement rate up to
2,000,000 meas./sec• scan speed up to 400 lines/second• operating flight altitude up to900 m / 2,950 ft• Field of View up to 100°
• compact & lightweight(2.65 kg / 5.8 lbs)
• Nadir/Forward/Backward Scanningfor unrivaled completeness of scandata even on vertical structures andnarrow canyons• easily mountable to unmanned
platforms (UAVs) and small mannedaircraft• mechanical and electrical interface
for INS/GNSS integration• interfaces for up to 5 externalcameras• scan data storage on internal
SSD Memory• removeable CFAST®
memory card

The scanner provides an internal data storage capacity of 1 TByte and aremoveable CFast card and is equipped with interfaces for integrationof an external INS/GNSS system. Additionally, interfaces for up to five
optional external cameras are available.
The sophisticated design of the RIEGL VUX-16023 allows smooth
integration on UAS/UAV/RPAS, small manned aeroplanes (like gyrocopters), but also on helicopters. It is offered both, as stand-alone
UAV LiDAR sensor and also in various fully-integrated UAV-based laser
scanning system configurations with appropriate INS/GNSS system andoptional cameras. This allows the scanner to perfectly meet all thespecific requirements of the customers‘ applications.

PRELIMINA• cutting edge RIEGL technology
providing:- echo signal digitization- multiple target capability- online waveform processing- multiple-time-around processing

The new RIEGL VUX-16023 is a lightweight and versatile airborne laser
scanner offering a wide field of view of 100 degrees and an extremely high pulse repetition rate of up to 2.4 MHz. Thus, it is perfectly
suited for high point density corridor mapping applications.
The measuring beam of the RIEGL VUX-16023 is consecutively emitted
in three different directions: it alternates from strictly nadir, to+10 degrees forward, and to -10 degrees backward. This allows
data acquisition with an unrivaled completeness in data capture,especially in challenging environments with vertical surfaces andnarrow canyons.

RY• laser pulse repetition rateup to 2.4 MHz23

Typical applications include• Corridor Mapping:Power Line, Railway Track andPipeline Inspection• Topography in Open-Cast Mining• Surveying of Urban Environments• Archeology and Cultural
Heritage Documentation• Agriculture & Forestry

visit our website
www.riegl.com

Airborne Laser Scanning

Preliminary Data SheetRIEGL VUX-16023 Scan Pattern „NFB“ (Nadir/Forward/Backward)
top view

side viewing
Scann+10°

PR
ELIMINA

Field of View

RY

Forward Scan Line

Nadir Scan Line

Backward Scan Line-10°

ForwardNadir Scanning

Backw

ard ScanningFlight Direction± 50° (100°)

Forward/Backward Scan Angle in Swath Center± 10°

Forward/Backward Scan Angle at Swath Edges± 15°

The RIEGL VUX-16023 offers a sophisticated scan pattern consisting of scanlines with periodically changing directions. The scan directions in the centerof the scan lines change consecutively from strictly nadir, to +10 degrees
forward, and to -10 degrees backward. This scan pattern provides an almost
complete 3D data set, as also vertical surfaces like the facades of buildings
and objects (e.g. masts and poles) are accurately sampled by laser range
measurements. In addition, the nadir direction enables the reliable dataacquisition down to the bottom of narrow canyons.

Facet 1

2Facet 2

Facet 3Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2022 – All rights reserved.

front view with FOV

Data SheetMaximum Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VUX®-16023

Example: VUX-16023 at 300,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100%
altitude 1,800 ft AGL, speed 60 kn, resulting point density ~ 6.2 pts/m²

PRELIMINA

RY

Operating Flight Altitude AGL given for the following conditions:
FOV 100°, ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing,average ambient brightness, target size ≥ laser footprint, roll angle <±5 deg

Operating Flight Altitude AGL given for the following conditions:
FOV 100°, ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing,average ambient brightness, target size ≥ laser footprint, roll angle <±5 deg

Example: VUX-16023 at 600,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100%
altitude 1,300 ft AGL, speed 30 kn, resulting point density ~ 34 pts/m²

Operating Flight Altitude AGL given for the following conditions:
FOV 100°, ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing,average ambient brightness, target size ≥ laser footprint, roll angle <±5 deg

Example: VUX-16023 at 1,200,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100%
altitude 650 ft AGL, speed 30 kn, resulting point density ~ 137 pts/m²

Data Sheet

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2022 – All rights reserved.

3

Maximum Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VUX®-16023

Example: VUX-16023 at 1,800,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100%
altitude 550 ft AGL, speed 30 kn, resulting point density ~ 243 pts/m²PRELIMIN
A

RY

Operating Flight Altitude AGL given for the following conditions:
FOV 100°, ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing,average ambient brightness, target size ≥ laser footprint, roll angle <±5 deg

Operating Flight Altitude AGL given for the following conditions:
FOV 100°, ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing,average ambient brightness, target size ≥ laser footprint, roll angle <±5 deg

4Example: VUX-16023 at 2,400,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100%
altitude 500 ft AGL, speed 30 kn, resulting point density ~ 356 pts/m²

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2022 – All rights reserved.

Data SheetTechnical Data RIEGL VUX®-16023 (continued)
Laser Product Classification

Class 1 Laser Product according to IEC60825-1:2014
The following clause applies for instruments delivered into theUnited States: Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for
conformance with IEC 60825-1 Ed.3., as described in Laser Notice
No. 56, dated May 8, 2019.

Range Measurement Performance
Measuring Principle

Laser Pulse Repetition Rate PRR 1)
Max. Measuring Range 2) 3)
natural targets  ≥ 20 %natural targets  ≥ 60 %natural targets  ≥ 80 %Max. Operating Flight Altitude AGL 2) 4)@  ≥ 20 %			@  ≥ 60 %			Max. Number of Targets per Pulse 5)

time of flight measurement, echo signal digitization, multiple target
capability, online waveform processing, multiple-time-around-processing
300 kHz600 kHz

1200 kHz

1800 kHz

2400 kHz

980 m
1600 m1800 m

720 m
1180 m
1340 m

520 m
860 m
980 m

420 m
720 m
820 m

370 m
620 m
720 m

560 m
(1800 ft)

400 m
(1350 ft)

290 m
(950 ft)

240 m(800 ft)

210 m(700 ft)

900 m(2950 ft)

670 m
(2200 ft)

490 m
(1600 ft)

400 m
(1350 ft)

350 m
(1150 ft)

32

24

11751) Rounded average PRR.
2) Typical values for average conditions and average ambient brightness. In bright sunlight, the max. range is shorter than under an overcast sky.
3) The maximum range is specified for flat targets with size in excess of the laser beam diameter, perpendicular angle of incidence, and for atmospheric visibility of 23 km.
Range ambiguities have to be resolved by multiple-time-around processing.
4) Considering max. effective FOV 100°, additional roll angle <± 5 deg.
5) If the laser beam hits, in part, more than one target, the laser‘s pulse power is split accordingly. Thus the achievable range is reduced.

5m
10 mm
5 mm
up to 2400 kHz
up to 2,000,000 meas./sec. (@ 2400 kHz PRR & 100° scan angle)
for each echo signal, high-resolution 16 bit intensity information is provided
near infrared
0.4 mrad 10)
40 mm @ 100 m, 200 mm @ 500 m, 400 mm @ 1000 m

6) Accuracy is the degree of conformity of a measured quantity
to its actual (true) value.
7) Precision, also called reproducibility or repeatability, is thedegree to which further measurements show the same result.

8) One sigma @ 150 m range under RIEGL test conditions.
9) User selectable.
10) Measured at the 1/e2 points. 0.4 mrad corresponds to an increase of 40 mm of beam diameterper 100 m distance.

Scanning Mechanism
Scan PatternPRELIMIN
AScanner Performance

RY

Minimum Range
Accuracy 6) 8)
Precision 7) 8)
Laser Pulse Repetition Rate 1) 9)
Max. Effective Measurement Rate 1)
Echo Signal Intensity
Laser Wavelength
Laser Beam DivergenceLaser Beam Footprint (Gaussian Beam Definition)

Field of View (selectable)
Scan Speed (selectable)
Angular Step Width   (selectable)

rotating polygon mirror
parallel scan lines, angular directions -10°, 0°, +10° transvers to the scan
direction for forward and backward view
± 50° = 100°
50 - 400 lines/sec
0.0025° ≤   ≤ 0.16° 11) 12)

Angle Measurement Resolution
Scan Sync (optional)

0.001°
scanner rotation synchronization

between consecutive laser shots

Data Interfaces

Configuration, Scan Data Output &Communication with External Devices
GNSS Interface
General IO & Control
Camera Interface
IMU Interface (optional)14)

General Technical Data

Power Supply Input Voltage / Consumption 15)
Main Dimensions (L x W x H)
WeightHumidity
Protection Class
Max. Flight Altitude (operating & not operating)Temperature Range

LAN 10/100/1000 MBit/sec
Serial RS-232 interface, TTL input for 1pps synchronisation pulse,
accepts different data formats for GNSS-time information
2 x TTL input/output 13), 1 x Remote on/offtrigger, exposure 13), power (max. 2.0 A), 5 x GNSS RS-232 Tx & PPSIMU data, power
18 - 34 V DC / typ. 60 W
282 mm x 117 mm x 134 mm
2.65 kg (without integrated Applanix AP+board)max. 80 % non condensing @ 31°C
IP64, dust and splash-proof
18 500 ft (5 600 m) above MSL (Mean Sea Level)-10°C up to +40°C (operation) / -20°C up to +50°C (storage)

Data Storage
Internal Data Storage
Memory Card Slot

Solid State Disc SSD, 1 TBytefor CFAST® 16) industrial memory card 240 GByte (can be upgraded to 480 GByte)

11) The angular step width depends on the selected laser PRR.
12) The maximum angular step width is limited by the max. scan rate.
13) 1x externally available with standard interface box14) applies only with INS/GNSS system
15) Separate input power connector for external cameras.
16) CFast® is a registered trademark of CompactFlash Association.

Data Sheet

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2022 – All rights reserved.

5

Dimensional Drawings RIEGL VUX®-16023

PRELIMINARYRIEGL VUX-16023 UAV LiDAR Sensorwith Connection Box

all dimensions in mm

RIEGL VUX-16023-SYS System Integration

The RIEGL VUX-16023 can be optionally complemented with an appropriate IMU/GNSS system.

External IMU & GNSS (optional)

AP+board(fully integrated)

Applanix AP+50 1)
Applanix AP+30 1)
IMU Accuracy 		Roll, Pitch
0.005°
0.010°
Heading
0.015°
0.025°IMU Sampling Rate
200 Hz200 HzPosition Accuracy (typ.)0.02 - 0.05 m
0.02 - 0.05 m
System Total Weight (approx.) 3)
3.15 kg
3.15 kg2)

1)
2)

See technical details at the according Applanix datasheet
Accuracy specifications for post-processed data

3)

Single scanner with AP+board and with external IMU sensor

RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbHHorn, Austria
Phone: +43 2982 4211 | www.riegl.com
RIEGL USA Inc.
Winter Garden, Florida, USA
Phone: +1 407 248 9927 | www.rieglusa.com

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2022 – All rights reserved.
Use of this data sheet other than for personal purposes requires RIEGL’s written consent.
This data sheet is compiled with care. However, errors cannot be fully excluded and alternations might be necessary.

external IMURIEGL Japan Ltd. | www.riegl-japan.co.jp
RIEGL China Ltd. | www.riegl.cn
RIEGL Australia Pty Ltd. | www.riegl.com
RIEGL Canada Inc. | www.rieglcanada.com
RIEGL UK Ltd. | www.riegl.co.uk

www.riegl.com
Preliminary Data Sheet, RIEGL VUX-160 23, 2022-11-30