Fajardo, Jhon Kelvin N.

Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System

BS Geology Assignment #1, Midterm

Direction: Describe each method of obtaining data used to create DEM. Explain it based on your own
understanding. Some are self-explanatory and don’t need further research.

1. LIDAR

LIDAR means Light Detection and Ranging, and it is a method in remote sensing that is used for
measuring the exact distance of an object on the Earth’s surface. It makes use of a pulsed laser to
calculate an object’s distances from the surface. In simpler words, it shoots laser light to a given
object on the surface and calculates the time it takes for the laser light to return to the LIDAR
source. The LIDAR instrument has three primary components, and these include the Scanner, the
Laser, and the GPS receiver. LIDAR can also either be airborne or terrestrial depending on its
functionality.

Reference:

Sharma B. (October 16, 2020). What is LiDAR Technology and How Does it Work?. Geospatial World.
Retrieved 25, October 2020 from https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/what-is-lidar-technology-and-
how-does-it-work/.

2. Stereo photogrammetry from aerial surveys

Generally, stereo photogrammetry refers to the estimation of the 3D coordinates of points on

an object, employing measurements made in two or more areal photographic images that are taken
from different angles.

Reference:

N.A. (n.d.). Stereophotogrammetry. Stereophotogrammetry – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Retrieved 25, October 2020 from https://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-website/confirm.

3. Multi-view stereo applied to aerial photography

Multi-view stereo is the general term that collectively refers to a set of techniques that use
stereo correspondence as their main cue and uses two or more images that were collected by
means of aerial photography.

Reference:
Hernandez C. (n.d.). Multi-View Stereo: A Tutorial. NowPublishers. Retrieved 25, October 2020 from
file:///C:/Users/ELMER/Downloads/9781601988379-summary.pdf.

4. Interferometry from radar data

Interferometry is a method used in remote sensing that allows one to measure topographic
profiles with high resolution. It is measured from multiple-pass synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data
sets, and so the method is also known as InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar). SAR
interferometry technique is applied by using two SAR images of one given area that were taken at
different times and interferes the images to produce maps that show ground-surface displacement
between the two time periods.

References:

N.A. (n.d.). Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR). USGS. Retrieved 25, October 2020
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/ca-water-ls/science/interferometric-synthetic-aperture-radar-insar?qt-
science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.

5. Real time Kinematic GPS

Real-time Kinematic (RTK) used with GPS is an accurate technique that is used to determine the
position of a receiver by using signal that is acquired from GPS. Real-Time Kinematic is based on the
carrier phase measurement technique wherein it uses the phase off the carrier signal in order to
determine the position of the receiver.

Reference:

N.A. (July 27, 2020). What is Real Time Kinematics? EverythingRF. Retrieved 25, October 2020 from
https://www.everythingrf.com/community/what-is-real-time-kinematics.

6. Topographic maps

Generally, a topographic map is a map that displays contour lines to represent elevation and
depict the shape of the Earth’s surface.

7. Theodolite or total station

Theodolites can either be digital or non-digital although digital is more often utilized nowadays
for its increased accuracy than its non-digital counterparts. A theodolite is used by combining plumb
bobs, bubble level, and graduated circles to find vertical and horizontal angles in surveying.
Theodolites can rotate along their horizontal axis and along their vertical axis.

Reference:

N.A. (n.d.). All about Theodolites. Levels, Laser Levels, and Measuring Tool Mfg Company Johnson Level.
Retrieved 25, October 2020 from https://www.johnsonlevel.com/News/TheodolitesAllAboutTheodo.

8. Doppler Radar
 A doppler radar is a non-imaging radar and a motion sensing transceiver that transmits a
continuous signal, which is then reflected off a target and demodulated in the receiver. It makes use
of the principle of doppler effect to produce velocity data of objects at a distance.

Reference:

Yuce M.R., et al. (March 1, 2017). A Doppler Radar System for Sensing Physiological Parameters in
Walking and Standing Positions. NCBI. Retrieved 25, October 2020 from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5375771/#:~:text=Typically%2C%20a%20Doppler
%20radar%20motion,in%20the%20receiver%20%5B8%5D.&text=A%20Doppler%20radar%20system
%20based,used%20to%20overcome%20null%20detection.

9. Surveying and mapping drones

Surveying and mapping drones refer to the unpiloted aircraft vehicle that can be controlled from
a distance in order to carry out specific tasks. It can be used to help in collecting data when mapping
or surveying.

10. Range imaging

Range imaging refers to the collection of 3D coordinate data from object surfaces. It uses range
sensors to collect data, and the output is called a ranged image. Range image pixels represent scene
surface geometry in samples form.

Reference:

Suk M., et al. (January 1992). Range Image Sensors and Sensing Techniques. ResearchGate. Retrieved 25,
October 2020 from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303626763_Range_Image_Sensors_and_Sensing_Technique
s.