Chapter 8-

Remote Sensing and GIS

Integration
Concepts and Techniques of
Geographic Information Systems,
2e
by C.P Lo and Albert K.W. Yeung
 Definition
► Theacquisition of information about
an object without physical contact.

► Includesgathering and processing of

information about the Earth’s
environment through the use of
photographs and related data acquired
from an aircraft or satellite.
 Remote Sensing
► Can be digital or analog

► Theterm “photograph” usually associated

with analog, while imagery from a spectral
scanner.

► Spectralscanners usually operate with EM

radiation outside of visible light.

► Easyto use with and update raster GIS

layers.
 What type of data do you
get?
► Synoptic maps
► Land cover
► Planimetric location
► Elevation
► Spectral Signature
► Chlorophyll absorption characteristics
► Biomass
► Moisture content
► Temperature
► Roughness
 Principles of Electromagnetic
Remote Sensing
► Record data of reflected or emitted electromagnetic energy.

► EM radiation is energy capable of transmission through empty

space in a plane harmonic wave pattern at the velocity (C) of
light.

► The frequency of oscillation (f) is related to wavelength (λ) by

c = λf

► EM occurs as a continuum of wavelengths and frequencies

from short wavelength, high-frequency cosmic waves to long-
wavelength, low-frequency radio waves (aka
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM)
Figure 8.1
Figure 8.3
 Principles of Electromagnetic Remote
Sensing
► EM from the sun is seriously attenuated by
passage through the atmosphere, which
particles scatter or absorb certain
wavelengths.

► Scattering
decreases with increase in
wavelength.

► Wavelengths shorter than 0.3 micrometers

are completely absorbed by ozone.

► Thereexists “transmission windows,”

which are exploited for imagery remote
sensing.
Figure 8.4
► Once EM energy reaches the surface, it is further
modified through interacting with features on the
Earth’s surface (reflected, refracted, transmitted,
or absorbed).
► Absorbed energy will usually be emitted in a
different form.
► Reflection depends on surface material and
roughness.
► A rougher surface will give rise to more diffused
and brighter reflection.
► Smooth surfaces look dark because they reflect
away from sensor.
► Hot objects emit more IR than cool, through the
“windows”
► All surface objects have their own spectral
signature-allowing it to be characterized and
mapped.
 Remote Sensing System
Classifications
► Passive and active.
► Passive = analog or digital
► Active = Synthetic Aperture radar and
others
► Can also be based on aerial or space
based systems
 Imaging Characteristics
► Remote sensing imaging systems
possess four major resolution
characteristics that determine the type
of geographic data that can be
detected.
► Spatial resolution
► Spectral resolution
► Radiometric resolution
► Temporal resolution
Plate 8.1
Plate 8.2
Figure 8.6
 Imaging Characteristics

► Remote sensing imaging systems

possess four major resolution
characteristics that determine the
type of geographic data that can be
detected.
► Spatial resolution
► Spectral resolution
► Radiometric resolution
► Temporal resolution
 Spatial Resolution
► Most important
► Ability of system to record detail.
► Analog = photograph sharpness; up to 60
lp/mm.
► The number of line pairs per millimeter does
not take into account the scale of the aerial
photo, GR combines scale and resolution
 GR = W*SF
 1:10,000 scale photo at 60 lp/mm =0.17 m
 Spatial Resolution for
Scanners
► Measured in instantaneous field of
view (IFOV) or the angle through which
the detector is sensitive to energy.
► D = H*B; D = ground dimension
(resolution); H = height of platform; B
= IFOV in milliradians.
► SPOT = 10 m resolution
► IKONOS-2 = 1 m resolution
► Landsat = 15 m.
 Spectral Resolution
► Two things considered here.
► Number of Wavelength Bands
► Wavelength of Bands
► More bans with smaller wavelengths
means higher resolution.
 Radiometric Resolution
► The smallest difference in radiant
energy that can be detected by a
sensor.
► Inversely proportional to contrast of
film=film can pick up more subtle
changes
► For digital images, number of discrete
levels into which a signal may be
divided, 6 bit vs. 8 bit, etc.
 Temporal Resolution
► Frequency data is collected.
► Clouds play a role usually.
► Landsats 1-3 capture the Earth every
18 days
► Landsats 4-7 capture the Earth every
16 days = better temporal resolution
► Import for many studies like
vegetation growth.