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Basics of Gis

The document discusses key concepts about geographic information systems (GIS). It defines GIS as a system for storing, retrieving, sorting, and comparing spatial data to support analytical processes. Spatial data in GIS can be represented in raster or vector formats. Raster stores data as cells in a grid while vector uses points, lines, and polygons. GIS allows users to input, organize, store, analyze, modify, and display spatial data through functions like overlays, buffers, and projections. The document provides examples of GIS applications for tasks like site selection, flight planning, and facilities management.

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Pradeep R
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238 views44 pages

Basics of Gis

The document discusses key concepts about geographic information systems (GIS). It defines GIS as a system for storing, retrieving, sorting, and comparing spatial data to support analytical processes. Spatial data in GIS can be represented in raster or vector formats. Raster stores data as cells in a grid while vector uses points, lines, and polygons. GIS allows users to input, organize, store, analyze, modify, and display spatial data through functions like overlays, buffers, and projections. The document provides examples of GIS applications for tasks like site selection, flight planning, and facilities management.

Uploaded by

Pradeep R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson Objectives

• Understand what a GIS is

• Understand how a GIS functions

• Understand how spatial data is


represented in a GIS

• Look at some GIS applications


Data vs.
Information

• Data, by itself, generally differs from


information.
• Data is of little use unless it is transformed
into information.
• Information is an answer to a question
based on raw data.
• We transform data into information
through the use of an Information System.
INFORMATION SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
What is an Information System?
What is an Information
System?

Information System

Data Query
Information
Storage

Information systems can be very simple,


such as a telephone directory.
What is an Information
System?
In the digital environment we use software to
create complex information systems.
What is a GIS?

Information System
A means of storing,
retrieving, sorting,
and comparing
+
spatial data
Geographic Position
to support some
analytic process.
What is a GIS?
GEOGRAPHIC Information System

GIS links graphical features (entities) to tabular data


(attributes)
GIS Definition
• A GIS is a system (hardware + database
engine) that is designed to efficiently,
assemble, store, update, analyze, manipulate,
and display geographically referenced
information (data identified by their
locations).

• A GIS also includes the people


operating the system and the data
that go into the system.
Key Functions of a GIS

Data can be:


1. Positioned by its known spatial
coordinates.
2. Input and organized (generally in
layers).
3. Stored and retrieved.
4. Analyzed (usually via a Relational
DBMS).
5. Modified and displayed
Geographic Information
Systems
Define
Decision
problem

GIS Define GIS


Output
Process criteria

GIS Import or
analysis build datasets
MODELLING AND
STRUCTURING DATA

(How we represent features or spatial


elements)
Representing Spatial
Elements

• RASTER

• VECTOR

• Real World
Representing Spatial
Elements
Raster
Stores images as rows and columns of numbers with a
Digital Value/Number (DN) for each cell.

Units are usually represented as square grid cells that are


uniform in size.

Data is classified as
“continuous” (such as in an
image), or “thematic”
(where each cell denotes a
feature type.
Numerous data formats
(TIFF, GIF, ERDAS.img etc)
Representing Spatial
Elements
Vector
Allows user to specify specific spatial locations and
assumes that geographic space is continuous, not
broken up into discrete grid squares

We store features as sets of X,Y coordinate pairs.


Entity Representations

We typically represent objects in space as three


distinct spatial elements:
Points - simplest
element

Lines (arcs) - set of


connected points

Polygons - set of
connected lines

We use these three spatial elements to represent real world features and
attach locational information to them.
Attributes

• In the raster data model, the cell


value (Digital Number) is the
attribute. Examples: brightness,
landcover code, SST, etc.
• For vector data, attribute records are
linked to point, line & polygon
features. Can store multiple
attributes per feature. Vector
features are linked to attributes by a
unique feature number.
Raster vs. Vector

Raster Advantages
The most common data format

Easy to perform mathematical and overlay operations

Satellite information is easily incorporated

Better represents “continuous”- type data

Vector Advantages
Accurate positional information that is best for storing discrete
thematic features (e.g., roads, shorelines, sea-bed features.

Compact data storage requirements

Can associate unlimited numbers of attributes with specific features


GIS FUNCTIONALITY

(What do they do?)


GIS Functions

• Data Assembly

• Data Storage

• Spatial Data Analysis and


Manipulation

• Spatial Data Output


GIS Functions
Data Assembly
Man i ng
Sca
ual
Dig ig itiz
nnin itizin al D
g g anu n ing
M c an
Maps S RSI

sf er Data
a Tran Tran
Dat s fer

Intel Database Direct Entry GPS

Keyboard
Data Input/Creation
GIS Functions
GIS Storage
1 (Universe polygon)

2 3 Spatial data
(ARC functions)

4 5
COV# ZONE ZIP
1 0
2 C-19 22060
Attribute data 3
4
A-4
C-22
22061
22060
(INFO or TABLES functions) 5 A-5 22057
GIS Functions

Spatial Data Manipulation and Analysis

• Common Manipulation
– Reclassification
– Map Projection changes
• Common Analysis
– Buffering
– Overlay
– Network
Spatial Analysis

• Overlay function creates new


“layers” to solve spatial problems
GIS Functions
Spatial Data Output
• Tables

• Maps

• Interactive Displays

• 3-D Perspective View


SOME EXAMPLES

AND APPLICATIONS
GIS Applications

• Site selection
– Helicopter Landing Zones
– Amphibious Assault (Water Depth)
– Buffer Zones
– Flight Planning
– Battlefield Visualisation
Helicopter Landing Zones

HLZ sites
Amphibious Assault Planning
Spatial Analysis
Proximity Analysis (Buffers)
1000 Meter Buffer of
Railroads
Flight Planning
Flight Planning/Flythroughs
Battlefield Visualization
and/or Situation Awareness
Other GIS Applications

• Cross country movement


– Route planning
– Intervisibility study
• Facilities management
• Airfield assessment
• Road network analysis (convoys)
• Propagation coverages
• Observation post siting analysis
• Perspective views
CCM Analysis
CCM & Viewshed
Facilities Management
Airfields
Network Analysis
Antenna Propagation Coverages
Observation Post Siting Analysis
Perspective Views

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