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Instruments & Technology
LiDAR
Laser scanning technology that measures distances using laser pulses to create precise 3D point clouds.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a distance measurement technology that uses laser pulses to precisely determine distances to objects and create detailed 3D models.
How does LiDAR work?
A LiDAR system:
- Emits laser pulses (up to millions per second)
- Receives reflected signals
- Calculates distance from time difference
- Records XYZ coordinates for each point
- Creates point cloud with millions of points
Types of LiDAR:
- Airborne LiDAR - scanning from aircraft or helicopter
- Drone LiDAR - scanning from unmanned aerial vehicles
- Terrestrial LiDAR - stationary or mobile scanners
- Bathymetric LiDAR - water body bed scanning
LiDAR advantages in surveying:
- Speed - millions of points per second
- Precision - up to centimeter precision
- Detail - captures all surface details
- Accessibility - scans hard-to-reach areas
- Vegetation penetration - some pulses reach ground through trees
LiDAR applications:
- Topographic surveying - rapid surveying of large areas
- Forest inventory - tree heights and density
- Flood modeling - precise terrain data
- Construction - existing situation documentation
- Power line corridors - inspection and maintenance
- Cultural heritage - archaeological site documentation
Results:
From LiDAR data you obtain:
- Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
- Digital Surface Model (DSM)
- Contour lines and cross-sections
- 3D models and visualizations