Name: Anotida T Marerwa

Reg Number: R195976A

Question: Describe the different types of sensors used in remote sensing

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Active sensors and Passive sensors are the types of sensors we have. Active and
passive sensing are used in remote sensing to make observations and measurements
from a distance or on a scale beyond those observable by human beings.
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In remote sensing, active sensors have a transmitter that sends out a signal and light
wavelength or electrons are bounced off a target, with data gathered by the sensor
upon their reflection. They are electronic sensing devices which requires AC and DC
source to produce and output ( Pawan Singh). Examples of active sensor-based
technologies include: scanning electron microscopes, LIDAR, radar, GPS, x-ray,
sonar, infrared and seismic. As in case with several sensors, seismic and infrared light
sensors exist in both active and passive. RADAR and LIDAR are examples of active
remote sensing where the time delay between emission and return is measured,
establishing the location, speed and direction of an object. (en.Wikipedia.org)
The most widely used active remote sensing systems include Active microwave.
RADAR- (Radio Detection and Ranging) which is based on the transmission of long-
wavelength microwave (4 to 24 cm) through the atmosphere and then recording the
amount of energy that will have returned back from the terrain. There is LIDAR
(Light Detection And Ranging) which is based on the transmission of relatively short-
wavelength laser light (like 0.91 µm) and then recording the amount of light retrieved
back. There is also SONAR - (Sound Navigation Ranging) which the transmission of
sound waves through a water column and then recording the amount of energy
returned from the bottom or from objects in the liquid. Active sensors are able to
obtain measurements anytime, regardless of the time of day or season. Active sensors
can examine wavelengths that are not sufficiently provided by the sun, such as
microwaves ( nrcan.gc.ca )

Passive sensors can only be used to detect energy when naturally energy is there.
Passive instruments sense only radiation emitted by the object being viewed or
reflected by the object from a source other than the instrument. Reflected sunlight is
the most common external source of radiation sensed by passive instruments
( earthobservatory.nasa.gov,Sep 17, 1999 ) Passive sensors include different types of
radiometers and spectrometers. Most passive systems used in remote sensing
applications operate in the visible, infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions
of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Types of passive sensors include an accelerometer—An instrument that measures
acceleration (change in velocity per unit time). There are two general types of
accelerometer. One measures transitional accelerations (changes in linear motions in
one or more dimensions), and the other measures angular accelerations (changes in
rotation rate per unit time). Another one is a hyper spectral radiometer—an advanced
multispectral sensor that detects hundreds of very narrow spectral bands throughout
the visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
This sensor’s very high spectral resolution facilitates fine discrimination between
different targets based on their spectral response in each of the narrow bands.
( earthdata.nasa.gov)….
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Conclusion

Remote sensors are very important as they provide simplicity of work in geology and
other fields which require pictorial exhibits in their case of studying.
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References:

Pawan Singh, Avid Reader,November 15, 2017, www.quora.com

www.earthdata.nasa.gov

earthobservatory.nasa.gov,Sep 17, 1999

Active remote sensing- URI EDC www.edc.uri.edu