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Introduction To Remote Sensing

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VICTOR MWANGI
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23 views22 pages

Introduction To Remote Sensing

Uploaded by

VICTOR MWANGI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to Remote

Sensing
Outline

 Definition
 Remote Sensing Process
 Sensors and Platforms
 Image Analysis
 Application of RS in Civil Engineering
Definition

 Remote sensing is the art and science of


obtaining information about a phenomenon
without being in physical contact with the
phenomenon under investigation.
 Sensors are used to remotely collect data that is
subsequently analyzed to obtain information
about the phenomena under investigation
 Focus on electromagnetic energy sensors that are
operated from airborne and space borne
platforms
 Advantages of RS over conventional surveys:
scale, cost, time, and repeatability
Remote Sensing Process

 Sensors collect data on Earth Surface Features (ESF) by detecting and


recording EM energy from the ESF;
 The RS processing involves:
 Source of EM energy (which may be The Sun, ESF, or Sensor);
 Propagation of energy through the atmosphere and energy interactions with the
atmosphere (scattering, absorption, transmission);
 EM interaction with ESF (and retransmission through the atmosphere);
 Sensor systems (and data recording);
 data analysis process (and generation of information);
 Use of information (for decision support).
Remote Sensing Process
Sources of Energy

 The source releases energy which traverses the atmosphere and is detected and
recorded by the sensor
 Possible sources on energy include:
 The Sun – optical RS relies on the sun’s energy and satellite-based systems are typically
sun-synchronized;
 The sensor system – in this case there is no need for sun-synchronization e.g. Radar or
Lidar systems;
 The ESF – Thermal RS of ESF
 RS systems that detect and record energy from the Sun or ESF are passive systems
e.g. Aerial Mapping Cameras, Thermal Scanners, and Multispectral Scanners.
 RS systems which detect and record energy which they release are called Active
Systems e.g. Radar, Lidar, and Laser Scanners
Energy Interaction in the Atmosphere

 As the energy travels through the atmosphere, it interacts with matter in the
atmosphere.
 Interaction is in TWO possible ways:
 Scattering
 Unpredictable diffusion of radiation by particles in the atmosphere
 Raleigh (reason for blue sky), Mie, and Non-selective scatter (reason for fog and clouds being
white)
 Absorption
 Leads to loss of energy
 Main absorbers are water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone
 Wavelengths heavily absorbed are called absorption bands
 Wavelengths highly transmitted are Atmospheric Windows – these are the portions
of the EM Spectrum where RS is Possible
Atmospheric Windows and Sensor Systems
Energy interaction with ESF
Energy interaction with ESF

 When electromagnetic energy is incident on an ESF, three are possible i.e.


fractions of incident energy (EI(λ)), depending on wavelength, will be
reflected (ER(λ)), , absorbed (EA(λ)), and/or transmitted (ET(λ)), ;
 Energy balance: EI(λ) = ER(λ) + EA(λ) + ET(λ)
 Note:
 The proportions of energy reflected, absorbed, and transmitted varies for different
ESF depending on their material type and condition.
 The proportions of energy reflected, absorbed, and transmitted are dependent on
wavelength
 The ratio (ER(λ)/ EI(λ) *100) is the spectral reflectance;
 A graph of the spectral reflectance of an object as a function of wavelength is
called a spectral reflectance curve for that object.
Energy interaction with ESF

Spectral Reflectance Curves for green vegetation, dry bare soil, and clear water
Energy interaction with
ESF

The spectral reflectance curve for


pure specimen of ESF gives a spectral
signature for the ESF
Energy interaction with ESF

BW Panchromatic Photograph BW NIR Photograph


Sensor Systems

 Sensors detect and record EM radiation signals from ESF


 Examples:
 Light sensitive film – film is the sensor and recording medium;
 Electronic sensors
 CCDs – optical systems
 Antennas – microwave systems

 Electronic Recording media


 Magnetic or optical computer storage medium i.e. hard drive, memory card, solid-state
storage unit or optical disk.
Characteristics of
Sensors (Resolutions)
 Spatial Resolution – specifies the
smallest ESF (size) that can be
detected and recorded
 RS sensing data is in image form
made up of matrix of pixels (picture
elements)
 A pixel is considered homogeneous
and is assigned a single radiometric
value
 The size of the pixel (typically
square) defines the spatial resolution
of sensor/ data
 The smaller the pixel size, the higher
the resolution of the image
Spectral Resolution

 Spectral resolution of a
sensor refers to width
and number of spectral
bands of the sensor;
 Systems with multiple
bands (≈10 bands) are
called Multispectral
Spectral sensors
 Systems with many
sensors (>>10 bands) are
called Hyperspectral
Scanners

Spectral Resolution of Landsat 8


Temporal Resolution

 Temporal resolution is defined as


the time it takes to revisit and
acquire data for the exact same
location.
 Temporal resolution depends on
the orbital characteristics of the
sensor platform as well as sensor
characteristics.
 The temporal resolution is high
when the revisiting delay is low
and vice-versa.
 Temporal resolution is usually Resolutions of the SPOT System
expressed in days.
Radiometric Resolution

 Radiometric resolution is how finely


a sensor divides up the radiance it
receives in each band. The greater
the radiometric resolution the
greater the range of intensities of
radiation the sensor is able to
distinguish and record.
 Radiometric resolution is expressed
as the number of bits for each band.
Traditionally 8-bit data was common
in remote sensing data, newer
sensors (like Landsat 8) have 16-bit
data products.
 8 bits = 28 = 256 levels (usually 0 to
255); 16 bits = 216 = 65,536 levels (0
to 65,535).
Orbital and Temporal Resolutions

 Investigate and document the orbital characteristics and Resolutions of the


following earth of observation satellites:
 Landsat
 Modis
 Ikonos
 Quickbird
 Aster
 Terra
 Meteosat
MSS Scanners

Along Track/ Pushbroom Scanner Across Track/ Whiskbroom Scanner


Image Analysis and Processing

 Image interpretation  Digital image processing


 Visual interpretation  Employs digital techniques to
correct, enhance, and analyze the
 Exploits:
data;
 Shape
 Size
 Tone
 Texture
 Site
 Shadow of objects in image
Use of RS Data in Civil Engineering
 Imagery for Reconnaissance Surveys
 High resolution imagery for planning
road inventory and condition surveys
(RICS)
 Laser scanning for road cracks
 Lidar for road asset management

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