Priority Programme “Metrology on Flying Platforms” (SPP 2433)
In March 2023, the Senate of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) approved the establishment of the Priority Programme “Metrology on Flying Platforms” (SPP 2433). The programme is designed to run for six years, covering two three-year funding periods. The DFG hereby invites proposals for the second three-year funding period.
Problem Statement
There is a steadily growing demand from society and industry for measurement and sensor systems for free-field measurements, intended, for example, to understand the impact of unpredictable environmental factors on buildings, facilities and plants, or to warn of hazardous substances. In fact, underwater vehicles, ground vehicles, aircraft and satellites have long been used as mobile measurement platforms to take measurements right where the measurement task is located. The near-surface space inhabited, intensively developed and managed by humans typically extends from the ground up to an altitude of approximately 300 meters. Accordingly, there are many measurement tasks in this area, particularly for the exploration and monitoring of facilities and the environment. To tap into this field of measurement, a wide variety of small uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), known as drones, have only recently become commercially available for civilian use.
Since civilian drone technology is still in its infancy compared to other mobile systems and is undergoing continuous technological advancement, drones offer as-yet unexplored potential for use as mobile measurement platforms. Unlike in a laboratory setting, one must contend with environmental and drone-related, sometimes unpredictable, interfering factors; furthermore, drones have significantly tighter constraints in terms of weight, installation space, energy and time. This also limits the possibilities for data preprocessing, data storage and data transfer. At the same time, the information extracted from image data has so far tended to be qualitative, particularly when using artificial intelligence (AI), while quantitative measurements with measurement uncertainties are virtually non-existent.
Scientific Objectives
The overarching research goal is to explore the untapped potential and limitations of mobile drone-based measurement systems for recording (measured) quantities with an associated measurement uncertainty. The priority programme focuses on the following four areas:
Development of new measurement principles and methods for drones. With regard to the principles, the aim is to harness measurement techniques that go beyond purely passive camera systems, such as laser-optical, acoustic or thermal excitation, or radio wave and laser scanning, or to investigate new methods based on locally measuring sensor systems. In particular, research will focus on methods for correcting disturbances caused by environmental factors and drone-related influences.
In the field of device technology, the greatest challenges stem from the limited availability of the resources space, weight, energy and time, which in turn impose constraints on sensor technology, data preprocessing, data storage and data transfer. Therefore, research should focus on evaluating the suitability of existing sensor concepts and pursuing concrete advances in sensor miniaturisation and the minimisation of energy and power requirements.
In the field of signal processing, the goal is to make progress toward more energy-efficient measurement data analysis and transmission, as well as more energy-conscious signal processing methods and communication concepts. Building on drone-based single-sensor systems, the project will also investigate their combined use with sensor data fusion and communication to enable the measurement of a wider range of sensor parameters.
Ultimately, drone-based sensor and measurement systems should not be evaluated solely on the basis of the measurement uncertainty achievable under environmental and drone-related conditions, but should always be evaluated in conjunction with the resources utilised (space, weight, energy and time). This expanded multidimensional evaluation, along with the identification of scaling mechanisms, is intended, on the one hand, to enable comparability and, on the other hand, to provide a uniform framework for describing the flexible potential of measurement technology on airborne measurement platforms.
To qualify, each project must address all four of the following subject areas: (1) measurement principles and methods, (2) sensor technology, (3) signal processing and communication, and (4) evaluation of measurement quality and resources. At the same time, it is possible to focus the research on at least two of the four subject areas. To promote interdisciplinary work, in addition to individual projects, joint research projects involving two applicants from different subject areas are possible and encouraged.
By combining the individual research efforts within the project with cross-project collaboration within the priority programme, the aim is to lay the groundwork for a new paradigm: drones as flying measurement platforms for valid quantitative measurements accompanied by a statement of measurement uncertainty.
Results of the First Funding Period and Objectives of the Second Funding Period
During the first funding period, new measurement parameters, methods and sensor approaches were investigated, proof-of-concept field measurements were conducted, and environmental and drone-related influences, as well as initial correlations between measurement quality and resources were modelled.
Building on this, the focus of the second funding period is on expanding from single-drone to multi-drone measurement systems, particularly through cooperative measurement approaches. The aim is to expand measurement capabilities while simultaneously minimising resource requirements for a given level of measurement quality. This gives rise to three overarching research objectives: (1) standardised documentation of measurement quality, resources used and measurement environments, (2) minimisation of resource expenditure for a required level of measurement quality and (3) targeted adaptation of measurement capabilities to a required level of measurement quality.
Working Programme
The SPP continues to focus on four categories of measurement parameters: (1) geometry, including deformation, (2) position, vibration and acoustics, (3) material properties of solids and liquids and (4) material properties of particles and gases. The research examines active systems that emit signals and evaluate the resulting response, as well as sensor systems that perform local measurements. Only multicopters are considered as flying platforms. The basis for evaluating measurement uncertainty is the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” (GUM).
In the second funding period, the research will examine how multi-drone measurement systems, particularly also through the cooperation of heterogeneous individual systems, can expand measurement capabilities. The focus further includes resource-conscious sensor technology, signal processing and communication; in-depth analysis of environmental and drone-related influences and methods and models that link measurement quality and data scope to the resources employed. The goal is to design a capable and resource-efficient overall measurement system tailored to the required measurement quality.
Requirements and Scope
A prerequisite for submitting a proposal is a measurement concept, either well-established or validated in field studies, for a single-drone measurement system with an existing database and complete measurement results. Both active systems and locally measuring sensor systems will be investigated. Only multicopters with a payload of up to 10 kg are permitted as platforms. Multi-drone measurement systems are limited to a maximum of four drone-based measurement units in order to focus the work on the underlying mechanisms rather than on duplication and technical parallelisation. Furthermore, the scientific questions are limited to the categories of measured variables specified in the work programme to enable comparisons of different measurement approaches. Demonstrable expertise in determining measurement uncertainty according to GUM is also required. Investigations of measurement uncertainty, influencing factors and the adaptability of an individual system are only within the scope of the SPP if that system is embedded in a multi-drone measurement system.
This call for proposals does not cover the following:
qualitative “measurements”
measurements outside the altitude range of 0.5 m to 300 m
passive camera-based measurement methods in the visible spectrum
It also does not cover works:
that track a measurement parameter outside the scope of the SPP;
that focus solely on single-drone measurement systems or on drone swarms with more than 4 drone-based measurement units;
without prior work or experience with at least one existing drone that can be used for the project;
based on unknown single-drone measurement systems or on non-existent proof-of-concept field studies (and the associated dataset and complete measurement results) for a single-drone measurement system (preliminary work);
for measurement systems without open-field experiments involving a flying drone;
without an evaluation of the measurement uncertainty budget and resources;
aiming to optimise the drone’s existing flight control and coordinated flight control of multi-drone systems;
that do not use multicopters with a payload of ≤ 10 kg as a flying platform;
without demonstrable application expertise regarding the GUM and
with a research focus on automation, autonomy, or big data analysis.
Please submit your proposal to the DFG by 31 January 2027. Proposals must be written in English and are to be submitted solely via the (externer Link) in order to ensure proposal-related data is recorded and documents are securely transmitted. Under “Proposal Submission – New Project/Draft Proposal – Priority Programmes,” please select “SPP 2433 – Messtechnik auf fliegenden Plattformen” from the list provided in the electronic form.
When preparing your proposal, please refer to the guidelines ((interner Link)) and follow the proposal preparation instructions ((interner Link)).
If this is the first time you are submitting a proposal to the DFG, please note that you must register in the elan portal before you can submit your proposal. You must do so by 15 January 2027. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day.
Equity and Diversity
The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages female researchers in particular to submit proposals.
Good Research Practice
According to a resolution of the DFG General Assembly, DFG funding may only be awarded to research institutions that have implemented the guidelines laid down in the (externer Link) in their own regulations. The management of your institution is responsible for implementing the guidelines in a legally binding manner. In order to avoid delays in the disbursement of funding, please verify implementation within your institution in good time. For information regarding the implementation, please refer to the (externer Link). If you have any questions on this subject, please contact the (externer Link) at the DFG Head Office.
Additional Information
For more information, please also visit the SPP website: (externer Link)
If you have any questions regarding the content, please contact the coordinator of the priority programme:
(externer Link), Universität Bremen, Faculty 04, Bremen Institute for Metrology, Automation and Quality Science (BIMAQ), Tel. +49 421 / 218-64600
When submitting proposals, please use the (externer Link) and refer to the respective guidelines DFG forms (interner Link) and (interner Link). The (interner Link) may also be helpful.
Contact Persons at the DFG Head Office
Programme contact: (externer Link), Mathematics and Engineering Sciences 2, Tel. +49 228 885-2871
Administrative contact: (externer Link), Mathematics and Engineering Sciences 2, Tel. +49 228 885-3129
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