Spatial data Acquisition in Remote Sensing

By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS)

November, 2019
1 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019
 Chapter One
Introduction to Remote Sensing

Remote means
 Distant or far away
Sensing means
 To sense, to feel, to observe
Remote sensing refers to the activities of recording, observing, and perceiving
(sensing) objects or events in far-away (remote) places.

2 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

 Definition continues….
Remote sensing is a method of obtaining information from distant objects without direct
contact.
It is a process of obtaining information about an object without touching the object (Gupta,
2003).
 Ex. Reading a book, sitting and watching from an air craft.

 RS is “The art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical
objects and the environment, through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting
imagery and digital representation of energy patterns derived from non contact sensor
system.”(International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

 The science and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or phenomenon through the
analysis of data acquired by a device that is not in contact with the object, area, or
3
phenomenon
By Milkessa D.under investigation“
(MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 Lillesand, Kiefer and Chipman (2004). 11/9/2019
 Usually, remotely sensed data refer to data of the earth collected from sensors on satellites or
air crafts.

The sensors on remote sensing platforms usually records Electromagnetic radiation.

The process of remote sensing has two faces:

 Data Acquisition through a device which is located at a distant from the object and

 Data analysis and interpretation

In much of remote sensing, the process involves an interaction between incident radiation
and the target of interest.

This is exemplified by the use of imaging systems where the following seven elements are
involved.
4 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019
 Elements/Processes of Remote Sensing
 Remote sensing system involves different stages that can be occurred
within an interaction between incident radiation and the targets of
interest.
1. Energy Source or Illumination (A) – the first requirement for remote
sensing is to have an energy source which illuminates or provides
electromagnetic energy to the target of interest. The natural source of
energy is the sun. Energy Source or Illumination (A)
2. Radiation and the Atmosphere (B) – as the energy travels from its Radiation and the Atmosphere (B)
source to the target, it will come in contact with and interact with the Interaction with the Target (C)
atmosphere it passes through. This interaction may take place a second Recording of Energy by the Sensor (D)
time as the energy travels from the target to the sensor. Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E)
3. Interaction with the Target (C) - once the energy makes its way to the Interpretation and Analysis (F)
target through the atmosphere; it interacts with the target depending on Application (G)
5 By Milkessa
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the radiation. 11/9/2019
Figure 1: Stages of Remote Sensing Processes
4. Recording of Energy by the Sensor (D) - after the energy has been scattered by, or emitted from
the target, we require a sensor (remote - not in contact with the target) to collect and record the
electromagnetic radiation.
5. Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E) - the energy recorded by the sensor has to be
transmitted, often in electronic form, to a receiving and processing station where the data are
processed into an image (hardcopy and/or digital).
6. Interpretation and Analysis (F) - the processed image is interpreted, visually and/or digitally or
electronically, to extract information about the target which was illuminated.
7. Application (G) - the final element of the remote sensing process is achieved when we apply the
information we have been able to extract from the imagery about the target in order to better
understand it, reveal some new information, or assist in solving a particular problem.

6 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

 Data acquisition
How to acquire spatial data?
Through Remote sensing- we can acquire information about an object or phenomenon,
without making physical contact with the object. It generally refers to the use of aerial
sensor technologies to detect and classify (map) objects on Earth.
Through Aerial photography- Aerial photography is the collection of photographs using
an airborne camera.
Through Surveying methods- Ground surveying is based on the principle that the 3-D
location of any point can be determined by measuring angles and distances from other
known points.
Through GPS-The term „GPS‟ is used interchangeably here to refer to satellite-based
navigation systems in general and the ground-based geographical data collection
instruments in particular.
Through "Drawing” over existing maps- Mapping technologies which you have used for
your work?
By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019
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 Remote Sensing Systems
 This process of capturing spatial data through remote sensing system can be

Passive
{ Human eye

Camera

Active
{ Radar- Radio Detection and Ranging
Sonar - Sound Navigation and Ranging
Laser- Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation
8 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019
 Passive vs. Active Remote Sensing

 Passive remote sensing/sensors systems record

EMR that is reflected (e.g., blue, green, red, and
near-infrared light) or emitted (e.g., thermal
infrared energy) from the surface of the Earth.
 are remote sensing systems which measure energy
that is naturally available.
 Passive sensors can only be used to detect energy
when the naturally occurring energy is available.
 For all reflected energy, this can only take place
during the time when the sun is illuminating the
Earth.
 There is no reflected energy available from the
sun at night. Energy that is naturally emitted
(such as thermal infrared) can be detected day or
night, as long as the amount of energy is large
enough to be recorded.
By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019
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 Active remote sensing/sensors systems

are not dependent on the sun‟s EMR or the thermal properties of the Earth.

provide their own energy source for illumination.

Active remote sensors create their own electromagnetic energy that

The radiation reflected from that target is detected and measured by the sensor.

 is recorded by the remote sensor‟s receiver.

the sensor emits radiation which is directed toward the target to be investigated.

10 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

Advantages for active sensors include
the ability to obtain measurements anytime, regardless of the time of day or season.
can be used for examining wavelengths that are not sufficiently provided by the sun, such as
microwaves.
However, active systems require the generation of a fairly large amount of energy to adequately
illuminate targets.
Examples of active sensors are RADAR (RAdio Detection and Ranging), LIDAR (LIght Detection
And Ranging), SONAR (SOund NAvigation Ranging) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
Camera provides an excellent example of both passive and active sensors.
During a bright sunny day, enough sunlight is illuminating the targets and then reflecting toward the
camera lens, that the camera simply records the radiation provided (passive mode).
On a cloudy day or inside a room, there is often not enough sunlight for the camera to record the
targets adequately. Instead, it uses its own energy source - a flash - to illuminate the targets and record
the radiation reflected from them (active mode).

11 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

 1.2 Applications of Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is a young scientific discipline and is an area of emerging technology.
It was evolved as the limit of man to observe in regions of EMS beyond the range of
human vision.
It has evolved primarily from the techniques of aerial photography and photo
interpretation
Its development is related with the development of: conventional, multispectral &
infrared photograph, non-photographic sensors & scanners, platforms, communication
& data transmission, data processing & computer technology.
Some of the application areas of remote sensing data are:

12 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

 Some application areas of remote sensing
1. Agricultural Applications:
Crop inventory
 crop type classification,
 crop condition assessment and
 crop yield estimation/prediction
Pest and diseases assessment
Assessment of flood damage
 compliance monitoring (farming practices)
Drought monitoring
2. Forestry Applications
 Productivity assessment
 Identification of Timber production
 Forest product assessment
By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019
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 3. Water Resources Application: This involves surface water studies, ground water targeting, flood
damage control, irrigation management, runoff estimation, reservoir assessment and others.
4. Environmental Application: This includes environmental analysis, change analysis,
environmental impact assessment and others.
5. LU/soil Application: This includes land use planning, land capability assessment, soil mapping,
Salinity mapping and others.
6. Land Resource Application: Involves land cover inventory, comprehensive planning, facility
mapping, land resource management, wild life inventory, wetland mapping, vegetation analysis and
etc.
7. Defense Application: Looking down and out to survey the battlefield for military information.
With the advent of rockets and then satellites, observations of both military and political activities on
the ground became possible. Example: Strategic Mapping and terrain analysis.
14 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019
 RS Application continues…..

8. Geological Applications:
involves the study of landforms, structures and the subsurface to understand physical
processes creating and modifying the earth's crust.
the study of potential hazards such as volcanoes, landslides, and earth quakes, and is thus
a critical factor for geotechnical studies relating to construction and engineering.
to examine the composition and structure of other planets and moons.
•Geological applications of remote sensing include the following:
Surficial deposit / bedrock mapping
Lithological mapping
Structural mapping
Sand and gravel (aggregate) exploration/ exploitation
By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019
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 Geological application continues…..

Mineral exploration
Hydrocarbon exploration
Study of environmental geology
Identification of baseline infrastructure
Sedimentation mapping and monitoring
Event mapping and monitoring
Geo-hazard mapping
Lineament mapping, Rock type mapping, Mineral Survey.

16 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019

 Stages of RS

17 By Milkessa D. (MSc. In GIS & RS), WU ,2019 11/9/2019