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What Is Lidar and How Does It Work?
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Introduced in the 1960s, LiDAR technology originally measured large

areas of terrain by mounting scanners to airplanes. Like Radar (Radio
Detection and Ranging), this is achievable by emitting pulses toward the
surface of the ground and bouncing them back to a sensor. Originally
referred to as a "colidar system,” LiDAR sensors employ the same concept
for measuring and creating 3D models today.

The introduction of commercially viable GPS systems in the 1980s made

LiDAR data useful for accurate geospatial measurements. Since then,
research and development have rapidly advanced and improved LiDAR
technology, making it commonplace for surveyors across the globe, via 3D
laser scanning solutions like the FARO Focus Premium .
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What is LiDAR?
Lidar is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote
sensing method for creating 3D models of the real world.
 How Do Lidar Sensors Work?
Depending on the LIDAR sensor, scanners can emit millions of laser
pulses per second. Each pulse returns to the scanner, calculating the
distance between the object and sensor using the velocity of light,
referred to as the Time of Flight (ToF). The result is a single point in
space and the combination of all these points creates a dense 3D
visualization called point cloud data.
  The Difference between Radar and LiDAR?

LiDAR and Radar both emit pulses to determine the time it takes to
hit a surface and return to the sensor. Radar, however, uses radio
waves instead of light pulses. LiDAR technology creates accurate
measurements through 3D models, whereas the primary use for
Radar is for military purposes i.e. on battleships to detect objects in
the vicinity.

What Is LiDAR Technology?

Lidar technology is an ideal way to examine the surface of the earth.
Assessing information about the ground, creating a digital twin of an
object, or detailing a range of geospatial information. Laser scanning
solutions harness this technology, using LiDAR data to create 3D models
and map digital elevation.
LiDAR maps give positional accuracy — both absolute and relative, to
allow users of the data to know where in the world the mapping took place
and how each point relates to objects in terms of distance.

What is LiDAR used for?

There aren't many applications that wouldn't benefit from using LiDAR
technology. From busy construction sites to deep underground — LiDAR
sensors are ideal solutions for a variety of industries. Here are a few
examples:

 AEC

LiDAR technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in AEC.

Tracking building projects and producing digital twins for Building
Information Modeling (BIM). Plus mapping the built environment
like buildings, road networks, or railways.

 Terrain Mapping

Surveying tasks often require laser scans to collect 3D measurements

to create Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and Digital Elevation
Models (DEMs) of landscapes and large areas.

 Real Estate

Creating 2D floorplans using 3D point cloud data is ideal for

measuring the space of a building or gaining insights ahead of
renovation projects.

 Environment

Environmental applications for LiDAR are plentiful. Laser scanning

is a popular method of mapping flood risk, carbon stocks in forestry
and monitoring coastal erosion.

 Mining

Creating 3D models of mines provides greater visibility of progress

but can also improve safety through various means like regularly
reviewing and analyzing movement in the rockface.
  Autonomous Vehicles

LiDAR sensors are also implemented in autonomous vehicles (AVs),

creating detailed 3D maps of the surrounding areas in real-time.
LiDAR technology is key in providing AVs with the perception
needed to navigate safely and efficiently in diverse environments.

What Are the Different Types of LiDAR Scanners?

Since the commercialization of Lidar technology, there have been various
iterations of laser scanners.
 Terrestrial Laser Scanner

The most common and longstanding use of a LiDAR sensor for

mapping is in terrestrial laser scanners (TLS). A TLS is a static-
based solution often on a tripod, emitting hundreds of thousands (in
some cases millions) of light beams per second to create dense point
cloud data.

TLS delivers highly accurate and granular data, which is ideal for
applications like crime scene investigation or visualizing
construction site progress.
 Mobile Laser Scanner

The recent development of mobile laser scanners has opened

opportunities for mapping previously hard-to-reach or impossible
places. Though slightly less accurate than TLS, mobile LiDAR is
significantly more versatile with the capacity for handheld, UAV, or
vehicle-mounted scans. Additionally, SLAM-enabled systems do not
require GPS to create a digital map, further widening its usability.
 Solutions, like FARO Orbis , are ideal for industries like mining
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where speed, accuracy, and ease of capture are a must.

 Lidar Technology in Phones

Apple was the first company to introduce Lidar to mobile phones

and tablets in 2020. Though significantly less accurate than both
 mobile laser scanners and TLS, and lacking high levels of range, the
development of the iPhone and iPad is a huge step towards getting
LiDAR into more hands.

Working in tandem; TLS, mobile, and Lidar-enabled phones are the

perfect solutions for consistent Lidar data capture of the same area over
time.

What Is a Point Cloud Data?

A point cloud is a multitude (often millions) of points within the scans
captured by a LiDAR scanner. These points represent a point on the
surface of, for instance, a scanned building. The scanner combines the
vertical and horizontal angles created by the laser beam to calculate a 3D
XYZ coordinate position for each point to produce a set of 3D coordinate
measurements.

Processing the data creates a point cloud dataset that gives an accurate
detailed picture of the scanned environment. The denser the points, the
more detailed the representation, which provides clarity for smaller
features and texture details.

LiDAR Systems for Geospatial Surveying

There are many great use cases for Lidar. These include civil engineering
and surveying, from highways and roadworks to bridge inspection and
mapping large retail developments. It is extensive, allowing surveying
firms to be more cost-effective while maintaining the highest level of
professionalism.
 Design

3D scanners help civil engineers get highly accurate results in a short

space of time - essential when working with tight timeframes.
 Evaluation

LiDAR technology is perfect for creating a digital model so you can

spot and correct irregularities before building work starts, as well as
monitor changes between scans to show progress.
 Surveying
 Surveyors prefer LiDAR systems to help them create detailed 3D
images, accurate digital terrain models (DTM), and digital elevation
models (DEMs) of specific landscapes.
 Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a three-dimensional

representation of terrain and all the objects within that space.
Regularly spaced elevation values collected from Lidar scans
create a coordinate system that allows the earth to be reflected
and modeled with a high level of accuracy.
 Digital Terrain Models (DTMs)

Unlike DEM which considers objects like vegetation,

buildings and other artifacts, a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
only considers the surface of the earth. A DTM will include
heights and elevations of the surface, including ridges or rivers
to give an accurate picture of the terrain.

So, What is LiDAR Technology?

Hopefully, we've satisfied your curiosity about Light Detection and
Ranging. This pulsed laser technology has so many mapping applications,
providing detailed information and data on the environment.

If you're looking for a 3D scanner for a business application, LiDAR

technology gives you the power to collect the geospatial data you need.
Our range of laser scanners produces point cloud data for many different
applications and industries.

Learn more about FARO's laser scanning products here here