What is LiDAR?
Light Detection and Ranging is a sensing technology that measures ranges (varying distances) to the Earth using light. When light is integrated with additional data collected by the aerial system, exact 3D info about the Earth’s shape and surface properties is generated.
A lidar device is made up of three parts: a specialized GPS receiver, a laser, and a scanner. The most frequent platforms for collecting lidar data over large regions are aircraft and helicopters. Topographic and bathymetric lidar are the two forms of lidar. Bathymetric lidar employs water-penetrating green light to determine seabed and riverbed heights, whereas topographic lidar uses a near-infrared laser to scan the land.
Mapping experts may use lidar devices to analyze natural and man-made surroundings with precision and accuracy. For example, Lidar is being used by NOAA scientists to create more accurate coastal maps, create models, and help in case of emergency operations, among other things.
Why use LiDAR?
To address research issues at the ecological or regional scale, scientists frequently need to define vegetation over huge areas. Because we don’t have the means to measure each and every tree or bush, we need technologies that can estimate critical properties over huge regions.
We don’t physically measure things with our hands when we use remote sensing. We’re utilizing sensors to collect data about a landscape and keep track of things so we can estimate conditions and attributes. We need remote sensing systems that can take multiple measurements fast utilizing automated sensors to measure vegetation or other data across broad regions.
- A LiDAR is a great tool for scientists investigating vegetation across wide regions since it directly assesses the height and density of plants on the ground.
LiDAR, also known as active laser scanning, is a remote sensing technique that may be used to map structure throughout a region, including vegetation height, density, and other features.
A LiDAR is a great tool for scientists investigating vegetation across wide regions since it directly assesses the height and density of plants on the ground.
How does it work?
LiDAR is a type of active remote sensing technology. An active system is one that creates its own energy – in this example, light – in order to measure objects on the ground. Light is emitted from a rapidly fired laser in a LiDAR system. Imagine light strobing rapidly from a laser light source. This light goes to the earth, where it is reflected by structures and tree branches. The reflected light energy is subsequently collected and recorded by the LiDAR sensor.
The time taken for emission spectra to fall to the ground and return is measured by a LiDAR system. The distance traveled is calculated using that time. The elevation is then calculated based on the distance traveled.
These measurements are made with the use of crucial lidar components such as a GPS that determines the X, Y, Z position of light energy and an Internal Measurement Unit that determines the plane’s orientation in the sky.
- A LiDAR system estimates the heights of objects on the ground using a GPS, IMU, and laser.
