2 - What Is RS

KAW 5521 Quantitative Remote Sensing
Prof. Dr. Shattri Mansor

B 6-45 Engineering Complex
Universiti Putra Malaysia
shattri@eng.upm.edu.my
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Perceptions of Remote Sensing
Things That Come to Mind...

Outline
• Remote Sensing Defined
• Basic Vocabulary
• Resolution

What is Remote Sensing?
Remote sensing is the art and science of

acquiring information about the Earth's
surface without actually being in contact
with it.

Remote Sensing?
...Under our definition, neither of these are remote sensing

How does Remote Sensing work?
Remote Sensing consists of:
1.) sensing and recording reflected or emitted

energy,
and:
2.) processing, analyzing, and applying that
information.

Is remote sensing a science or a
technology, or both?
Biology, • Remote Sensing is a

Chemistry,
etc technology that is used in
many scientific disciplines
• Adequate understanding of
remote sensing technology
requires some scientific
knowledge

Remote Sensing Defined
• Remote Sensing is:
– … the collection of information about objects or

phenomena using sensing devices that are not in
physical contact with the objects or phenomena of
interest.
– There is a medium of transmission involved.

• Remote Sensing:
– … the collection of information about Earth surfaces

and phenomena using sensors not in physical contact
with the surfaces and phenomena of interest.
– We will focus on data collected from an overhead

perspective via transmission of electromagnetic
radiation.

Source: Jensen (2000)

The Remote Sensing Process
Statement of Data Data Information

the Problem Collection Analysis Presentation
• Select Appropriate • In Situ • Analog (Visual) Image Processing • Analog and Digital
Logic - Field - Using the “Elements of Image - Images
- Inductive - Laboratory Interpretation” - Image maps
- Deductive - Collateral data - Orthophotomaps
- Technological • Digital Image Processing - Thematic maps
• Remote Sensing of - Pattern recognition - Spatial databases
• Formulate Biophysical and - Statistical, syntactical
Hypothesis Hybrid Data - Expert systems • Error Report
- Passive analog - Using a knowledge base - Geometric
- Camera and inference engine - Thematic
- Videography - Neural networks
- Passive digital - Modeling • Image Lineage
- Camera - Spatial modeling using GIS data - Genealogy
- Multispectral scanners - Scene modeling based on physics
- Linear and area arrays of energy/matter interactions • Statistics
- Spectroradiometers - Univariate
- Active • Scientific Visualization - Multivariate
- Microwave (radar)
- Laser (Lidar) • Hypothesis Testing • Graphs
- Sonar - Accept or reject hypothesis - 1d, 2d, 3-dimensional

• Remote Sensing Includes:
– A) The mission plan and choice of sensors;
– B) The reception, recording, and processing of the

signal data; and
– C) The analysis of the resultant data.

Remote Sensing Process Components
Energy Source or Illumination (A)
Radiation and the Atmosphere (B)
Interaction with the Target (C)
Recording of Energy by the Sensor (D)
Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E)
Interpretation and Analysis (F)
Application (G)
Source: Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing

• Advantages over visual scanning:
– A) Vantage point and extent of coverage;

– B) Permanence of record;
– C) Improved spatial and spectral resolution;
– D) Wide range of conditions under which data can be
collected;
– E) Improved speed and consistency of interpretation;
– F) More timely and cost effective inputs into
management systems.

Remote Sensing Instruments
Are really just electromagnetic radiation

detectors/recorders
• Light -- Cameras and Scanners

• Heat - Thermal scanners
• Radio Waves -- radar

Modes of RS Instruments
Passive Active
Sensor records reflected ambient Sensor emits and detects

EMR, or emitted EMR EMR

Perceptions of Remote Sensing
Things That Come to Mind...

Elements of Remote Sensing
System
Sun Sensor
Atmosphere
Analysis/
Application
Interaction
of EMR
w/ target Data Retrieval,
Target Storage, Distribution
History of Remote Sensing

Early History -- Kites

Early History -- Balloons
“Nadar”

Early History -- Balloons
Civil War
Union ground crew

Preparing observation
Balloon for launch Artist’s view of balloon
in use -- Battle of Fair Oaks,
June, 1862

Birds?
Member of the Bavarian Pigeon Corps

outfitted with aerial camera

Other Platforms

Aerial Photography
Wright Bros
Wright Flyer

Aerial Photography
Military Application -- WWI
Camera
Royal Canadian Air Force Photography Crew

Trench Systems in France World War I

Aerial Photography
Military Application -- WWII
Kwaeh Yu River
K- 3B “Bridge on the River Kwai”
Aerial Camera
Nighttime Aerial Photo

Rochester, NY

Aerial Photography
Camouflage Detection (Infrared) Film
Conventional film Conventional film Infrared film

no camouflage with camouflage with camouflage

Remote Sensing from Space
Astronaut Photography
Project Gemini
Project Mercury first real science from space

Remote Sensing from Space
Project Apollo -- Multispectral Photography
Green
Red
Near Infrared False Color

Satellite Photography
(1960s - 70s)
Corona Recon System
Aral Sea

Satellite Imaging
(1970s - Present)
Landsat (ERTS) 1
Thematic Mapper

• Limitations:
– A) It is only one source of data for physical, biological,

and social sciences research.
– B) Sensors produce erroneous data if not properly

calibrated.
– C) Remote sensing data sets have a range of appropriate

applications and should not be extended beyond them.

Basic Vocabulary
• Environmental remote sensing devices can be categorized into three

general classes based upon distance between target and sensor:
proximal, aerial, and satellite.
• Remote sensing devices can also be categorized by type: either active

or passive.
• Some sensors are imaging, and others are non-imaging.
• Sensors are either analog or digital.
• A final distinction can be made between radiometers and

spectroradiometers (a.k.a. spectrometers).
• Imaging radiometers with a single, very wide spectral band (usually in

the visible spectrum) produce panchromatic images. Those with
several wide spectral bands acquire multispectral data. Data gathered
by imaging spectrometers are often called hyperspectral.

Resolution
• There are four types of resolution all remote

sensing systems have:
– Spatial
– Spectral
– Temporal
– Radiometric

Spatial Resolution
High vs. Low?

Spectral
Resolution

Temporal Resolution
July 2 July 18 August 3
16 days
Time
11 days
July 1 July 12 July 23 August 3

Radiometric Resolution
6-bit range
0 63
8-bit range
0 255
10-bit range
0 1023

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KAW 5521 Quantitative Remote Sensing

Prof. Dr. Shattri Mansor

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• Remote Sensing Defined

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Remote sensing is the art and science of

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...Under our definition, neither of these are remote sensing

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Remote Sensing consists of:

1.) sensing and recording reflected or emitted

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Biology, • Remote Sensing is a

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• Remote Sensing is:

– … the collection of information about objects or

– There is a medium of transmission involved.

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– … the collection of information about Earth surfaces

– We will focus on data collected from an overhead

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Statement of Data Data Information

Source: Jensen (2000)

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• Remote Sensing Includes:

– A) The mission plan and choice of sensors;

– B) The reception, recording, and processing of the

– C) The analysis of the resultant data.

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Energy Source or Illumination (A)

Radiation and the Atmosphere (B)

Interaction with the Target (C)

Recording of Energy by the Sensor (D)

Transmission, Reception, and Processing (E)

Interpretation and Analysis (F)

Source: Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing

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• Advantages over visual scanning:

– A) Vantage point and extent of coverage;

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Are really just electromagnetic radiation

• Light -- Cameras and Scanners

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Sensor records reflected ambient Sensor emits and detects

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Union ground crew

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Member of the Bavarian Pigeon Corps

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Royal Canadian Air Force Photography Crew

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Nighttime Aerial Photo

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Conventional film Conventional film Infrared film