lidar – what is it, why is it so good and what can you use it for.doc

Large format digital camera – why are they so much better than their film predecessors? There are a myriad of reasons why the digital environment is superior to the analogue or film option. The following is a brief list of some of those benefits; Quicker turnaround time Improved detail in the shadows Enhanced interpretability A wider range of useable light conditions On-site verification that the imagery is of the highest standard Improved dynamic range A solid state recording medium No potential problems with film or film-processing No loss of image detail or distortion through scanning Duplication carries no loss of quality Less manual labour for processing and ground control A reduction in image noise A crisper image in which edges are more clearly defined Increased radiometric precision Improved performance in automated image processing Simultaneous panchromatic, RGB and NiR capture The images below graphically show the grain and artefacts in the scanned film image on the left and the lack of in the digital image on the right. Of major note is the enhanced interpretability of the digital image. This means that when mapping from stereo imagery, the much better dynamic range and finer imaging detail enables a far greater number of match points to be used when setting imagery up. This leads to greater accuracy and more data being able to be collected as it is simply easier to see. In general too, digital cameras are partnered with POS (Position and Orientation System) systems. These provide positioning of each image utilising DGPS and Omega, Phi, Kappa inputs from an IMU co-sited with the DGPS and collimated with the camera. It is the use of this data that allows a huge reduction in ground control allowing some specifications to be met using POS data alone. This can provide a totally remote solution for sensitive areas. The image above is a 5cm GSD image (flown at 2,300 feet with a Vexcel Camera) showcasing the abilities of the digital camera. Note, there is no ha