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At least 73 records · Page 4

GIS Integration for Quantitatively Determining the Capabilities of Five Remote Sensors for Resource Exploration

To assist the U.S. Geological Survey in carrying out a Congressional mandate to investigate the use of side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) for resources exploration, a research program was conducted to define the contribution of SLAR imagery to structural geologic mapping and to compare this with contributions from other remote sensing systems. Imagery from two SLAR systems and from three other remote sensing systems was interpreted, and the resulting information was digitized, quantified and intercompared using a computer-assisted geographic information system (GIS). The study area covers approximately 10,000 square miles within the Naval Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, and is situated between the foothills of the Brooks Range and the North Slope. The principal objectives were: (1) to establish quantitatively, the total information contribution of each of the five remote sensing systems to the mapping of structural geology; (2) to determine the amount of information detected in common when the sensors are used in combination; and (3) to determine the amount of unique, incremental information detected by each sensor when used in combination with others. The remote sensor imagery that was investigated included real-aperture and synthetic-aperture radar imagery, standard and digitally enhanced LANDSAT MSS imagery, and aerial photos.

Pascucci, R. F.↗

A study of the potential of remote sensors in urban transportation planning

The potential uses of remotely sensed data as applied to the transportation planning process are presented. By utilizing the remote sensing technology developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the various space programs, it is hoped that both the expense and errors inherent in the conventional data collection techniques can be avoided. Additional bonuses derived from the use of remotely sensed data are those of the permanent record nature of the data and the traffic engineering data simultaneously made available. The major mathematical modeling phases and the role remotely sensed data might play in replacing conventionally collected data are discussed. Typical surveys undertaken in the overall planning process determine the nature and extent of travel desires, land uses, transportation facilities and socio-economic characteristics. Except for the socio-economic data, data collected in the other surveys mentioned can be taken from photographs in sufficient detail to be useful in the modeling procedures.

Rietschier, D.↗

Atmospheric effects in multispectral remote sensor data

The problem of radiometric variations in multispectral remote sensing data which occur as a result of a change in geometric and environmental factors is studied. The case of spatially varying atmospheres is considered and the effect of atmospheric scattering is analyzed for realistic conditions. Emphasis is placed upon a simulation of LANDSAT spectral data for agricultural investigations over the United States. The effect of the target-background interaction is thoroughly analyzed in terms of various atmospheric states, geometric parameters, and target-background materials. Results clearly demonstrate that variable atmospheres can alter the classification accuracy and that the presence of various backgrounds can change the effective target radiance by a significant amount. A failure to include these effects in multispectral data analysis will result in a decrease in the classification accuracy.

Turner, R. E.↗

Engineering a laser remote sensor for atmospheric pressure and temperature

A system for the remote sensing of atmospheric pressure and temperature is described. Resonant lines in the 7600 Angstrom oxygen A band region are used and an organic dye laser beam is tuned to measure line absorption changes with temperature or pressure. A reference beam outside this band is also transmitted for calibration. Using lidar techniques, profiling of these parameters with altitude can be accomplished.

Kalshoven, J. E., Jr.↗

Guidelines for spaceborne microwave remote sensors

A handbook was developed to provide information and support to the spaceborne remote sensing and frequency management communities: to guide sensor developers in the choice of frequencies; to advise regulators on sensor technology needs and sharing potential; to present sharing analysis models and, through example, methods for determining sensor sharing feasibility; to introduce developers to the regulatory process; to create awareness of proper assignment procedures; to present sensor allocations; and to provide guidelines on the use and limitations of allocated bands. Controlling physical factors and user requirements and the regulatory environment are discussed. Sensor frequency allocation achievable performance and usefulness are reviewed. Procedures for national and international registration, the use of non-allocated bands and steps for obtaining new frequency allocations, and procedures for reporting interference are also discussed.

Litman, V.↗

Photographic films as remote sensors for measuring albedos of terrestrial surfaces

To test the feasibility of remotely measuring the albedos of terrestrial surfaces from photographic images, an inquiry was carried out at ground level using several representative common surface targets. Problems of making such measurements with a spectrally selective sensor, such as photographic film, have been compared to previous work utilizing silicon cells. Two photographic approaches have been developed: a multispectral method which utilizes two or three photographic images made through conventional multispectral filters and a single shot method which utilizes the broad spectral sensitivity of black and white infrared film. Sensitometry related to the methods substitutes a Log Albedo scale for the conventional Log Exposure for creating characteristic curves. Certain constraints caused by illumination goemetry are discussed.

Pease, S. R.↗

Remote sensors

A variety of photographic and nonphotographic sensors are briefly described which were used for remote sensing purposes.

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Flooding of Monroe County, Michigan - A comparison of three remote sensor data sets

During the spring of 1973, three techniques were used to obtain remotely sensed data pertaining to the flooded shoreline of Monroe County, Michigan. Although digitized data from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite were available on magnetic tapes, analysis was based on interpretation methods normally used for aerial photography, since the black and white IR photography and side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) data were available only as images. Using IR photography as the standard, it was found that ERTS-1 Band 7 imagery had a 93% accuracy in detecting areas in the combined category of open water and flooded fields. X(HH) data from SLAR detected that built-up and wet areas were built-up (89 to 100% accuracy), but not that they were wet. It is suggested that these two sensors used in concert from orbital heights could provide information useful to relief organizations in flooded areas. It is considered likely that SLAR data will improve as higher resolution becomes available.

Bryan, M. L.↗

Remote sensors - Prospects and limitations

Review of the history, present status, and future prospects and limitations of remote sensing systems for satellite-based earth resources surveys. The objectives and special areas of interest of ongoing sensor development experiments are summarized, and the measurement and performance goals of current potential sensor research is discussed.

Lehmann, J.↗

Comparison of remote sensors for soil moisture and other hydrologic studies

Progress in lake temperature and soil moisture remote sensing during 1971. The use of satellite data and imagery for improved flood and low flow forecasts, improved water level and ice reports for the Great Lakes, and better and faster coastal zone storm damage assessment is considered.

Wiesnet, D. R.↗

Airborne remote sensors applied to engineering geology and civil works design investigations

The usefulness of various airborne remote sensing systems in the detection and identification of regional and specific geologic structural features that may affect the design and location of engineering structures on major civil works projects is evaluated. The Butler Valley Dam and Blue Lake Project in northern California was selected as a demonstration site. Findings derived from the interpretation of various kinds of imagery used are given.

Gelnett, R. H.↗

A simulation of remote sensor systems and data processing algorithms for spectral feature classification

A computational model of the deterministic and stochastic processes involved in multispectral remote sensing was designed to evaluate the performance of sensor systems and data processing algorithms for spectral feature classification. Accuracy in distinguishing between categories of surfaces or between specific types is developed as a means to compare sensor systems and data processing algorithms. The model allows studies to be made of the effects of variability of the atmosphere and of surface reflectance, as well as the effects of channel selection and sensor noise. Examples of these effects are shown.

Arduini, R. F.↗

A simulation of air pollution model parameter estimation using data from a ground-based LIDAR remote sensor

One way to obtain estimates of the unknown parameters in a pollution dispersion model is to compare the model predictions with remotely sensed air quality data. A ground-based LIDAR sensor provides relative pollution concentration measurements as a function of space and time. The measured sensor data are compared with the dispersion model output through a numerical estimation procedure to yield parameter estimates which best fit the data. This overall process is tested in a computer simulation to study the effects of various measurement strategies. Such a simulation is useful prior to a field measurement exercise to maximize the information content in the collected data. Parametric studies of simulated data matched to a Gaussian plume dispersion model indicate the trade offs available between estimation accuracy and data acquisition strategy.

Kibler, J. F.↗

Role of passive remote sensors. Sensor System Panel report

Capabilities of present passive systems are described and the development of passive remote sensing systems for the more abundant tropospheric trace species is recommended. The combination of nadir-viewing spectrometers and solar occultation for tropospheric measurement of those gases having large stratospheric burdens is discussed. Development of a nadir-viewing instrument capable of obtaining continuous spectra in narrower bands is recommended. Gas filter radiometers for species specific measurements and development of a spectral survey instrument are discussed. Further development of aerosol retrieval algorithms, including polarization techniques, for obtaining aerosol thickness and size distributions is advised. Recommendations of specific investigations to be pursued are presented.

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The analytical design of spectral measurements for multispectral remote sensor systems

The author has identified the following significant results. In order to choose a design which will be optimal for the largest class of remote sensing problems, a method was developed which attempted to represent the spectral response function from a scene as accurately as possible. The performance of the overall recognition system was studied relative to the accuracy of the spectral representation. The spectral representation was only one of a set of five interrelated parameter categories which also included the spatial representation parameter, the signal to noise ratio, ancillary data, and information classes. The spectral response functions observed from a stratum were modeled as a stochastic process with a Gaussian probability measure. The criterion for spectral representation was defined by the minimum expected mean-square error.

Wiersma, D. J.↗