Lightweight Airborne Laser Scanner with Online Waveform Processing

RIEGL VUX-1LR®

• 15 mm survey-grade accuracy• scan speed up to
200 scans / second• measurement rate up to750,000 meas./sec• operating flight altitude
more than 1,700 ft• field of view up to 330° for practicallyunrestricted data acquisition• regular point pattern,
perfectly parallel scan lines• cutting edge RIEGL technology
providing:- echo signal digitization- online waveform processing- multiple-time-around processing• multiple target capability practically unlimited number oftarget echoes• compact (227x180x125 mm),lightweight (3.5 kg), and rugged• easily mountable to helicopters,
gyrocopters, and other smallmanned aircrafts• mechanical and electricalinterface for IMU mounting• electrical interfaces for GPS data
string and Sync Pulse (1PPS)• LAN-TCP/IP interface• internal data storage on
Solid State Disc SSD, 1 TByte

The RIEGL VUX-1LR is a very lightweight and compact laser
scanner, meeting the challenges of airborne laser scanning byhelicopter, gyrocopter, and other small aircraft both in measurement performance as well as in system integration. Withregard to the specific constraints and flight characteristics, theRIEGL VUX-1LR is designed to be mounted in any orientationand even under limited weight and space conditions. Modestin power consumption, the instrument requires only a single
power supply. The entire data set of an acquisition campaign
is stored onto an internal 1 TByte SSD and/or provided as realtime line scan data via the integrated LAN-TCP/IP interface.
The RIEGL VUX-1LR provides highspeed data acquisition using a narrow
infrared laser beam and a fast line scanning mechanism. Highaccuracy laser ranging is based on RIEGL´s unique echo digitizationand online waveform processing, which enables achieving superior
measurement results even under adverse atmospheric conditions, andthe evaluation of multiple target echoes. The scanning mechanism isbased on an extremely fast rotating mirror, which provides fully linear,
unidirectional and parallel scan lines, resulting in excellent regular pointpattern.

Typical applications include• Corridor Mapping:Power Line, Railway Track andPipeline Inspection• Topography in Open-Cast Mining• Terrain and Canyon Mapping• Surveying of Urban Environments• Archeology and Cultural
Heritage Documentation• Agriculture & Forestry• Resources Management• Rapid Response in Small ScaleSurveying (Collision Investigation,Risk Prevention)

visit our website
www.riegl.com

Airborne Laser Scanning

Data SheetTechnical Data RIEGL VUX®-1LRLaser Product Classification

Class 1 Laser Productaccording to IEC 60825-1:2014

The following clause applies for instruments delivered into the United States:
Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for conformance withIEC 60825-1 Ed.3., as described in Laser Notice No. 56, dated May 8, 2019.

Range Measurement Performance
Measuring Principle

time of flight measurement, echo signal digitization,
online waveform processing, multiple-time-around-processing

Laser Pulse Repetition Rate PRR 1)
50 kHz
100 kHz200 kHz400 kHz600 kHz						820 kHzfull							power

Max. Measuring Range 3) 4)
natural targets  ≥ 20 %natural targets  ≥ 60 %natural targets  ≥ 80 %Max. Operating Flight Altitude AGL 1) 5)@  ≥ 20 %		
@  ≥ 60 %		
Max. Number of Targets per Pulse 6)

reducedpower 2)820 m1350 m1540 m

600 m
1000 m1130 m

430 m
720 m
820 m300 m
520 m
600 m

250 m
430 m
500 m

215 m
370 m
430 m

110 m
180 m
220 m

530 m
(1740 ft)
870 m
(2850 ft)
15

380 m
(1250 ft)
640 m
(2100 ft)
15270 m(880 ft)
460 m(1510 ft)
15190 m(620 ft)
330 m(1080 ft)
14

160 m
(520 ft)
280 m(920 ft)
8140 m(460 ft)
240 m(790 ft)
670 m(230 ft)
120 m(390 ft)61) Rounded values.
2) Laser power optimized (reduced) for measurements of short ranges with high pulse repetition rate.
3) Typical values for average conditions. Maximum range is specified for flat targets with size in excess of the laser beam diameter, perpendicular angle of incidence, and foratmospheric visibility of 23 km. In bright sunlight, the max. range is shorter than under overcast sky.
4) Ambiguity to be resolved by post-processing with RiMTA software.
5) Flat terrain assumed, scan angle ±45° FOV.
6)	If more than one target is hit, the total laser transmitter power is split and, accordingly, the achieveable range is reduced.

Minimum Range
Accuracy 7) 9)
Precision 8) 9)
Laser Pulse Repetition Rate 1) 10)
Max. Effective Measurement Rate 1)
Echo Signal Intensity
Laser Wavelength
Laser Beam DivergenceLaser Beam Footprint (Gaussian Beam Definition)

5m
15 mm
10 mm
up to 820 kHz
up to 750 000 meas./sec. (@ 820 kHz PRR & 330° FOV)
for each echo signal, high-resolution 16 bit intensity information is provided
near infrared
0.5 mrad 11)
50 mm @ 100 m, 250 mm @ 500 m, 500 mm @ 1000 m

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

9) One sigma @ 150 m range under RIEGL test conditions.
10) User selectable.
11) Measured at the 1/e2 points. 0.50 mrad corresponds to an increase of 50 mm of beam diameterper 100 m distance.

Scanner Performance

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

rotating mirror
up to 330° (full range measurement performance)
10 - 200 revolutions per second, equivalent to 10 - 200 scans/sec
0.004° ≤   ≤ 1.5°

Angle Measurement Resolution
Internal Sync Timer
Scan Sync (optional)

0.001°
for real-time synchronized time stamping of scan data
scanner rotation synchronization

between consecutive laser shots

Data Interfaces
Configuration
Scan Data Output
GNSS Interface

LAN 10/100/1000 Mbit/sec
LAN 10/100/1000 Mbit/sec or USB 2.0
Serial RS232 interface for data string with GNSS-time information,
TTL input for 1PPS synchronization pulse
1 TByte SSD
TTL input/output
SMA connector

Internal Data Storage
External Camera
External GNSS Antenna

General Technical Data

Power Supply Input Voltage / Consumption 12)
Main Dimensions 12)

11 - 34 V DC / typ. 65 W

VUX-1UAV without / with Cooling Fan

227 x 180 x 125 mm / 227 x 209 x 129 mm

VUX-1UAV without / with Cooling Fan

approx. 3.5 kg / approx. 3.75 kg
max. 80 % non condensing @ 31°C
IP64, dust and splash-proof
16 500 ft (5 000 m) above MSL / 18 000 ft (5 500 m) above MSL-10°C up to +40°C (operation) / -20°C up to +50°C (storage)

Weight 12)

Humidity
Protection Class
Max. Flight Altitude (operating / not operating)Temperature Range 13)

Optional Components (integrated)
Embedded GNSS-Inertial Systemhigh performance multi-channel, multi-band GNSS receiver,solid-state MEMS IMU12) without external IMU/GNSS, cooling fan device not in operation
13) The instrument requires air convection with a minimum flow rate of 5 m/s for continuous operation at +15 °C and above. If the necessary flow rate cannot be provided by the movingplatform, the cooling fan device (included in the scope of delivery) has to be used.

2

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019– All rights reserved.

Data SheetMaximum Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VUX®-1LR
PRR = 50 kHz

PRR = 50 kHz

1800

terra cotta

15202530354045505560

6570751.485400

2500

2000

1500

Point Density [pts/m2]

80

600

Operating Flight Altitude AGL

cliffs, sand, masonry

construction concrete
10

white marble

dry asphalt

dry snow

MTA1300

5

1.6

800

600

01.8

3500

3000

900

0[ft]

1000

white plaster work, limestone

1200

deciduous trees

Maximum Measurement Range [m]1500

coniferious trees

wet ice, black tar paper[m]1.2
1400.8

1000

0.4

500

0.2

000m0m75

0.60m

5060range to target0m

1000m20090204030506070

MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”

@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:PRR = 100 kHz
construction concrete

15202530354045505560

65707585

400

2500

2000

1500

Point Density [pts/m2]

80600

Operating Flight Altitude AGL

white marble

cliffs, sand, masonry
101000200

20m0020403050607080

90100110120@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:VUX-1LR at 100,000 pulses/second
range to target = 500 m, speed = 50 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 1.2 pts/m²

PRR = 200 kHz

600

white marble

163500141000
3000
800

600

400

MTA12500

2000

1500

1000

12Point Density [pts/m2]

900[ft]Operating Flight Altitude AGL

MTA2

white plaster work, limestone

cliffs, sand, masonry

construction concrete

terra cotta

deciduous trees

dry asphalt

coniferious trees

dry snow

140range to targetm
500m0m607590[m]wet ice, black tar paper

1300m

0500

1800

Maximum Measurement Range [m]14030401

PRR = 200 kHz

102080m27642535range to target

m0m5m0m

50

4200

300

5000130

VUX-1LR at 50,000 pulses/second
range to target = 500 m, speed = 70 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 0.44 pts/m²Speed [kn]MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”

1200

140

3

Target Reﬂectivity [%]

1500

130

4800

300

5120

3000

MTA1

600

0110

5[ft]

1000

900

0100

3500

white plaster work, limestoneterra cotta

deciduous trees

dry asphalt

coniferious trees

Maximum Measurement Range [m]dry snow

wet ice, black tar paper[m]120090

PRR = 100 kHz

1800

1500

80

Speed [kn]Target Reﬂectivity [%]0051015202530354045505560657075808590

20203040506070

MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”
MTA2: two transmitted pulses „in the air”

8090

100110120

Speed [kn]Target Reﬂectivity [%]@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:VUX-1LR at 200,000 pulses/second
range to target = 350 m, speed = 60 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 3.0 pts/m²

The following conditions are assumed for the Operating Flight Altitude AGL• ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing & flight planning• target size ≥ laser footprint• average ambient brightness• operating flight altitude given at a FOV of ±45°

Data Sheet

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019– All rights reserved.

3

Maximum Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VUX®-1LR
PRR = 400 kHz

PRR = 400 kHz

1800

3500

30

1000
3000

600

400

2500

2000

1500

25Point Density [pts/m2]

800

MTA2600

35[ft]

Operating Flight Altitude AGL

900

white marblewhite plaster work, limestone

cliffs, sand, masonry

terra cotta

dry asphalt

dry snow

construction concrete

1200

deciduous trees

Maximum Measurement Range [m]1500

coniferious trees

wet ice, black tar paper

[m]

20

15020025

150m

30mm

range to target

0m

400m

10

1000

300

0200

MTA1

5500
00

5

10

15

202530

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

090

20

40

30

506070Target Reﬂectivity [%]MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”
MTA2: two transmitted pulses „in the air”

@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:PRR = 600 kHz

3000

600

400

2500

101520252000

1500

40303540455055606570750808530

202025030 m0m

204030506070@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

white marble

Example:

300

1000

120

140

VUX-1LR at 600,000 pulses/second
range to target = 150 m, speed = 60 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 21 pts/m²

30354045505560

65

7075

100

800

600

400

2500

2000

1500

Point Density [pts/m2]

3000

80

10600120150m

204025mmrange to target

0m0m

1000
200

MTA2MTA125110

3500

MTA320100120[ft]Operating Flight Altitude AGL

white plaster work, limestone

cliffs, sand, masonry

construction concrete

terra cotta

deciduous trees

dry asphalt

coniferious trees

dry snow

wet ice, black tar paper

Maximum Measurement Range [m]

600

1590

PRR = 820 kHz

900

1080

Speed [kn][m]5130

range to target

0m090

1800

01400m0m

10

PRR = 820 kHz

0130

1215200

MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”
MTA2: two transmitted pulses „in the air”
MTA3: three transmitted pulses „in the air”

1200

140

VUX-1LR at 400,000 pulses/second
range to target = 200 m, speed = 70 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 8.8 pts/m²

Target Reﬂectivity [%]

1500

130

50

1000

MTA1
5120

60

Point Density [pts/m2]

800

500

0110

70

1000

MTA2

300

0100

80

3500

MTA3600[ft]Operating Flight Altitude AGL

900

white marble

white plaster work, limestone

cliffs, sand, masonry

construction concrete

terra cotta

deciduous trees

dry asphalt

coniferious trees

Maximum Measurement Range [m]dry snow

wet ice, black tar paper[m]120090

PRR = 600 kHz

1800

150080Speed [kn]20500080859002030405060

Target Reﬂectivity [%]MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”
MTA2: two transmitted pulses „in the air”
MTA3: three transmitted pulses „in the air”

7080

90

100110120

Speed [kn]@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:VUX-1LR at 820,000 pulses/second
range to target = 120 m, speed = 80 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 26 pts/m²

The following conditions are assumed for the Operating Flight Altitude AGL• ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing & flight planning• target size ≥ laser footprint• average ambient brightness• operating flight altitude given at a FOV of ±45°

4Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019– All rights reserved.

Data SheetMaximum Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VUX®-1LR
PRR = 820 kHz reduced power

PRR = 820 kHz reduced power

300terra cotta

101520253035404550556065707580857035400300200Point Density [pts/m2]

MTA1

105

Operating Flight Altitude AGL

cliffs, sand, masonry

construction concrete5058001401000600

500

15001000[ft]175

white marble

dry asphalt

dry snow

MTA2

white plaster work, limestone

200

deciduous trees

Maximum Measurement Range [m]250

coniferious trees

wet ice, black tar paper

[m]

600
2535400
50

702000range to target

mm

100m
150 m

10090mm

01015

20

25

30

35

TargetReﬂectivity
Reﬂectivity[%][%]
Target

MTA1: no ambiguity / one transmitted pulse „in the air”
MTA2: two transmitted pulses „in the air”

40455055606570

Speed [kn]@ visibility 23 km@ visibility 15 km@ visibility 8 km

Example:VUX-1LR at 820,000 pulses/second reduced
range to target = 35 m, speed = 30 kn
Resulting Point Density ~ 240 pts/m²

Dimensional Drawings RIEGL VUX®-1LR
all dimensions in mm

bottom view

front viewside view

rear view

RIEGL VUX®-1LR with Cooling Fan Device
front view

Data Sheetside view

rear view

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019– All rights reserved.

5RIEGL VUX®-1LR Additional Equipment and Integration
Additional Equipment for RIEGL VUX-1LR
Cooling FanLightweight structure with two axial fans providing forced air convection forapplications where sufficient natural air flow cannot be guaranteed. Powersupply is provided via a connector on the rear side of the RIEGL VUX-1LR. The
cooling fan can be mounted either on the top side or on the bottom side of
the RIEGL VUX-1LR and is included in the scanner‘s scope of delivery.
The cooling fan has to be mounted whenever the environmental conditions/temperatures require (see ”temperature range” on page 2 of this datasheet).

Cooling FanProtective Cap
To shield the glass tube of the RIEGL VUX-1LR from mechanical damage
and soiling, a protective cap is provided to cover the upper part of theinstrument during transport and storage.

Options for RIEGL VUX-1LR Integration
RIEGL provides user-friendly, application- and installation-oriented solutions
for integration of the VUX-1LR LiDAR sensor:
RIEGL VUX-1LR with Protective Cap• RIEGL VUX-SYS
Complete airborne laser scanning system for flexible use in UAS/UAV/RPAS,
helicopter, gyrocopter and ultra-light aircraft installations comprising theRIEGL VUX-1LR, an IMU/GNSS unit and a dedicated control unit.
• RIEGL VP-1
Small and lightweight pod with integrated RIEGL VUX-SYS to be mounted
on standard hard points and typical camera mounts of manned helicopters• RiCOPTER
Ready to fly remotely piloted aircraft system with RIEGL VUX-SYS integrated
Details to be found on the relevant datasheets and infosheets.

RIEGL VUX-1LR with external IMU-Sensor (RIEGL VUX-SYS)

Multiple-Time-Around Data Acquisition and Processing
In time-of-flight laser ranging a maximum unambiguous measurement range
exists, which is defined by the laser pulse repetition rate and the speed oflight. In case the echo signal of an emitted laser pulse arrives later than theemission of the subsequently emitted laser pulse, the range result becomesambiguous - an effect known as „Multiple-Time-Around“ (MTA).

Field of View
(FOV)
330°

MTA 1
MTA 2

The RIEGL VUX-1LR allows ranging beyond the maximum unambiguous
measurement range using a sophisticated modulation scheme applied tothe train of emitted laser pulses. The dedicated post-processing software
RiMTA provides algorithms for multiple-time-around processing, which automatically assign definite range results to the correct MTA zones without any
further user interaction required.

MTA 3

RIEGL
Laser Measurement Systems GmbH
Riedenburgstraße 48
3580 Horn, Austria
Phone: +43 2982 4211
office@riegl.co.at | www.riegl.com

Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2019– 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.

RIEGL USA Inc. | info@rieglusa.com | www.rieglusa.com
RIEGL Japan Ltd. | info@riegl-japan.co.jp | www.riegl-japan.co.jp
RIEGL China Ltd. | info@riegl.cn | www.riegl.cn
RIEGL Australia Pty Ltd. | info@riegl.com.au | www.riegl.com

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Data Sheet, RIEGL VUX-1LR, 2019-11-29