The EZtrack system (easy-track) was introduced in 1996. The purpose of the system is to reduce aerial survey operational costs by streamlining and speeding up the preparation and execution of the photo missions. This is achieved by a combination of specially developed software and hardware tools. These tools cover all the aspects of modern aerial survey photography: Digitizing, planning, photography acquisition, reporting, archiving, etc.

At the end of 2001, there are over 150 EZtrack systems in operation in more than 30 countries. 30% of these systems are operated in the USA.

The EZtrack consists of an equipment kit and the TRACKER planning and reporting software.
 
AERIAL SURVEY KIT

• The TECI-3 (TRACKER External Camera Interface) which is a computerized black box especially designed to control aerial cameras. The TECI includes a built in 12 channels GPS system.
• The snapSHOT software running on a laptop
• A daylight readable flat panel TFT color monitor, for the pilot
• A complementary cross track indicator, for the pilot
  In addition, the user has to provide his own laptop computer.

  
TECI

THE TECI-3

• In combination with the snapSHOT software running on a laptop, the TECI-3 triggers the camera at pre-determined locations (pinpoint photography) and records the photo positions with high accuracy.
• It can be used with all existing mapping cameras (Wild/Leica/LH RC8 to RC30, all Zeiss RMKs and LMKs, etc.) and with small format cameras as well as with new digital cameras.
• It is delivered with its own integrated 12 channels receiver accepting RTCM corrections, but it can also use any other GPS receiver.
  
  TECI-3 EXPANSIONS (OPTIONAL)
  Optionally, the TECI-3 can also perform the following tasks:
• Exposing the details of the mission and the photo position on the film margins of certain cameras (RC30, RMK TOP, etc.).
• Automatically controlling all the camera functions, v/h, FMC, drift, etc. (with the necessary equipment).
• Interfacing with the Leica PAV30 stabilized mount to record the angular positions at the time of exposure.
• Connecting to other systems (digital compass, ARINC data bus, auto-pilot, INS, second camera, etc.).
• Controlling and monitoring airborne geophysics equipment.

   snapSHOT program

snapSHOT is used to control the TECI-3 and to display navigation information to the crew.

• The program runs under Windows on any normal laptop computer.
• In order to assist the crew in taking the best course of action, snapSHOT continually displays the current status of the mission.
• Critical aeronautic information (restricted airspace, danger areas, international boundaries, etc.) can be displayed together with the limit of the project.
• The photo positions are stored in real time in a database.
• The photo index is ready to be plotted right on landing.
• The snapSHOT can control geophysics equipments via the TECI-3.
• snapSHOT includes a built in flight simulator which can be used by the crew to become rapidly familiar with the system.

   
  pilot display

The EZtrack system is delivered with 2 displays for the pilot:

A very compact 8.4 inch high brightness daylight readable multisync flat panel TFT color display specially adapted for an airplane cockpit. This display can be delivered with an articulated arm or with a yoke mount.

A complementary small LCD indicator showing the cross track and the essential navigation data to the pilot.
 

1. snapLIM: Digitizing with a tablet.
2. snapXYZ: Entering coordinates.
3. snapPLAN: Planning.
4. snapBASE: Project management.
5. snapPLOT: Printing and plotting.

snapLIM

This digitizing program is based on a powerful Windows tablet driver supporting most of the commercial digitizers currently available (more than 300 types).

• Digitizes the limits of project areas.
• Digitizes runs and strips that are traced on paper map documents.
• Digitizes the outlines of topographic or aeronautic features (restricted air space, international borders, contour lines, etc.).

Text utility used when the coordinates of the areas or photo lines are available or are easy to type in.

• Includes a text editor which allows typing or editing an existing file.
• Accepts all geographic or grid coordinates formats without conversion or calculation.
• Includes a graphic viewer to visually check the correctness of the text input.
• Imports drawings prepared by other programs in DXF format.
• Optionally, it is possible to use snapXYZ to generate geophysics survey flight plans based on swath width and altitude.

Planning module used to add photo lines to the drawings which have been digitized in snapXYZ or snapLIM.

• Automatic stereoscopic coverage of block areas by parallel runs.
• Prepares flight plans with hundreds of runs and thousands of photos in one single mouse click.
• Interactive drawing of single strips to cover features such as roads, rivers, etc. Strips can easily be moved and arranged until the best flight plan is achieved.
• Automatically prepares pinpoint flight plans where each photo position has to conform to a given grid (geographical or map).
• Optionally, it is possible to use snapPLAN to generate geophysics survey flight plans based on swath width and altitude.

Management tool used to track and update the status and progress of projects.

• Checks the data generated during the flight and logs accepted or rejected photos during the film inspection.
• Maintains at all times an accurate and up to date photo index of the project.
• Generates film reports, progress reports, etc.
• Features comprehensive database and project management.

Printing and plotting module used to quickly and easily prepare scaled photo indices.

• Designed so that a person without any CAD experience can plot a professional A0 photo-index in less than 2 minutes.
• Works with any plotter or printer operating under Windows.

Main Technical Points

LAPTOP

Any commercial laptop computer can be used to interface the TECI-3 and the camera. This approach has many advantages:

• Current laptop PC's are remarkably powerful, reliable and cheap.
• In case of malfunction, the laptop can be immediately replaced at minimum expense.
• The more powerful laptop computers are becoming, the better the system is performing.

WINDOWS™

• The familiar Windows operating system allows a remarkably fast learning of the system operation.

HANDLING

• The system was primarily designed to be successfully operated by an inexperienced air crew.
• Accomplished survey crews will find that the system improves the quality of their work, increases their performance, and relieves them from trivial tasks.
• During the flight, the laptop computer requires little or no action from the operator. The pilot has only to watch the information displayed on his monitor to guide the airplane.

DATABASE

Contrary to other systems which use ordinary disk files, EZTRACK stores all data to a built-in Microsoft ACCESS (tm) relational database. Some of the advantages are:

• The data is stored in one place in a structured and logical way and can be accessed by other programs.
• Complete projects can be transferred between computers or on the Internet with a single mouse click.
• The database can become part of a new or existing information system (GIS).
• Users or third party developers can develop their own add-ons or extensions to the system

TECHNICAL DATA

• Total weight: Less than 10 kg.
• Operating temperatures: -10 șC to +50 șC.
• Max. humidity: 95% not condensing.
• Voltage: 12 to 30 Volts.
• Total maximum amperage: 8 A.
• Maximum cabin altitude: 30000 feet.

SYSTEM ACCURACY

• Triggering: +/- 5 meters from actual planned photo centers.
• Photo positions recording: +/- 5 meters from actual photo centers.
  
  (Tested with low cost 12 channels GPS receiver without RTK correction.)

MEP MID EXPOSURE PULSE
Mapping cameras which are not equipped with a mid exposure pulse can be fitted with the MEP computerized mid-exposure pulse generator. The MEP is a device capable of generating an electronic pulse exactly at the center of the exposure time. This event is registered by the TECI-3 and allows snapSHOT to compute and record the exact photo position.

With an absolute accuracy of +/- 50 microseconds, the MEP pulse can also be recorded by a suitable GPS for airborne DGPS photo control.

The MEP can be installed by the user. The system uses a tiny light sensitive element installed in the camera facing the lens. This sensor is connected to the MEP electronic box which is placed outside of the camera. A micro-processor accurately measures the actual duration of the photographic exposure and generates the pulses accordingly.

The MEP system has been installed successfully on many cameras not equipped with mid exposure pulse (RC8, RC10, RMKs, etc). The MEP can also be used with other systems (CCNS, T-flight, ASCOT, etc).

Contact us for more technical information.	The EZtrack cross track LCD display
The  8.4 inch TFT display

Selling Information And Guarantees

GUARANTEES

• Hardware guarantee: The EZtrack system comes with 18 months total guarantee on the hardware manufactured by Track'air. During the guarantee period, any malfunctioning component will be unconditionally exchanged, regardless of the cause of the malfunction.
• For the equipment not manufactured by Track'air, the guarantee of the manufacturer applies.
• All prices and delivery are ex-work: All transport costs to be paid by the customer, even in case of a guarantee case.
• Customer support: Email assistance, free of charge during the first 18 months.
• Software updates: During the first 18 months, periodic updates are provided via CDs or the customers can download updates from our FTP server.
• After the first 18 months period, the customer may extend the hardware guarantee and software support for any additional periods of 18 months. The conditions of the extended guarantee and software support are identical to the conditions of the initial first 18 months period (unconditional exchange, etc).

PAYMENTS

• In certain cases, payment arrangements are possible, please contact us.
• Long term and short term lease agreements can be arranged.

TRAINING AND INSTALLATION

• Optionally, installation of the equipment in your airplane and a rapid crew training can be carried out anywhere in the world.
• Air survey crews can also be trained in the Netherlands by experienced instructors. A fully equipped twin engine aerial survey airplane is available for actual training.

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Our company will evaluate free of charge your special requirements as well as proposals for adaptations of the EZTRACK system to other applications.

EVALUATION KIT
If you would first like to evaluate the EZtrack system in real conditions,
we can provide a complete evaluation system which can be operated
free of charge for a period of 6 weeks.

For more information, contact our sales representative or email: info@trackair.com