The Purpose of LiDAR

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an advanced tool used for quickly, accurately, and densely measuring 3D features from the surrounding environment. As a form of remote sensing, LiDAR employs sensors to gather data on topography, vegetation, and other features across large areas, eliminating the need for physical measurements.

LiDAR sensors can capture hundreds of thousands of measurements per second, represented as a point cloud. This point cloud is crucial for various analytical processes, including distance measurements, volume computations, and 3D modeling.

How Does LiDAR Work?

LiDAR measures distance by emitting laser pulses and recording the time it takes for each pulse to travel to an object and reflect back to the sensor. Given the known speed of light, distance is calculated using the formula: distance = speed x time. Positioning and orientation sensors within the LiDAR system then convert these distance measurements into elevation data.

Position measurements are typically recorded once per second, while orientation measurements are taken between 125 and 400 times per second. These sensors are essential for accurately calculating the location and timing of each point collected by the LiDAR system.

In essence, a LiDAR system is an active remote sensing technology that emits laser pulses, captures the returned signals, and calculates the system’s position and orientation. This process produces a geospatially accurate 3D point cloud depicting the environment.

How Can LiDAR Measure the Ground Through Trees?

LiDAR operates by emitting laser pulses composed of light energy in the form of photon bundles. As these photons travel towards the ground, they encounter various objects such as buildings, trees, and vegetation. Some photons reflect off branches and return immediately to the sensor, while others pass through gaps in the foliage, striking lower branches or the ground before reflecting back.

This process, known as multiple returns, allows LiDAR to capture multiple reflections from a single pulse of light. The power of the laser and other factors determine the number of returns a LiDAR system can record. At Phoenix LiDAR Systems, some systems can record up to 15 returns, providing a true 3D representation of both vegetation and ground data.

Phoenix LiDAR Systems offers a range of high-performance LiDAR solutions capable of capturing detailed, accurate 3D data for a variety of applications.

LiDAR Mapping Through Vegetation – 5 Tips You Should Know!

In this video by Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems, you’ll discover the five key considerations for using LiDAR in vegetation mapping. While photogrammetry can map bare Earth terrain, LiDAR excels in penetrating dense vegetation to accurately map the ground surface. The video highlights essential factors such as pulse repetition rate, vertical field of view, number of returns, laser wavelength, and beam divergence, explaining how each impacts the effectiveness of LiDAR systems in vegetated areas. Learn how to choose the right LiDAR sensor for your needs and enhance your vegetation mapping accuracy. Watch now for expert insights and tips on leveraging LiDAR technology.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems provides a comprehensive guide on LiDAR strip matching, a crucial process for achieving high accuracy in LiDAR mapping. You will learn what strip matching is, why it’s essential, and the best practices for refining your LiDAR data to ensure precise alignment of overlapping strips.

Discover the common pitfalls with some LiDAR software and how to avoid them by using Phoenix LiDAR’s advanced tools like the LiDAR SNAP strip matching tool from SpatialPro. This video is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their LiDAR mapping accuracy and efficiency. Watch now to master LiDAR strip matching like a pro.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems provides an essential guide on LiDAR classification. In under four minutes, you will learn the fundamentals of LiDAR classification, including its definition, importance, and the best practices for classifying LiDAR data.

Kory explains how each LiDAR point within a point cloud can be assigned a classification code, allowing for easy differentiation between various features such as bare Earth ground and high vegetation. The video covers industry-standard classifications by ASPRS as well as custom classifications for specific project needs.

Discover the best methods for LiDAR classification, including automated, semi-automated, and manual processes, and see how tools like SpatialExplorer and LiDARMill can streamline your workflow. Enhance your understanding of LiDAR data and improve the accuracy of your classifications by watching this informative video.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems addresses a significant challenge faced by surveyors using aerial drone LiDAR systems: aligning LiDAR data with surveyed ground control in the correct coordinate reference system. Kory explains the common issues with low-quality LiDAR software, which often only provides basic options that fail to utilize geoid models for orthometric heights, leading to inaccuracies.

The video highlights the importance of processing LiDAR data using the correct coordinate reference system from the start, emphasizing the need for high-quality LiDAR software like Phoenix LiDAR’s, which offers extensive coordinate reference system options and advanced features. Learn how to achieve the best absolute accuracy for your LiDAR projects by watching this informative video.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems delves into the importance of accurate LiDAR colorization for creating digital twins. He explains the two main methods available: color draping from orthomosaics and ray tracing techniques. Kory defines key terms, such as orthomosaics, and discusses the pros and cons of each method.

Color draping, while straightforward, often miscolorizes vertical structures and objects. Ray tracing, on the other hand, offers more accurate LiDAR colorization but can be complex without proper tools. Kory recommends using Phoenix LiDAR’s SpatialExplorer and LiDARMill software for the best results, highlighting their advanced ray tracing, color balancing, and seam correction features. Watch the video to learn how to achieve the most precise colorization for your LiDAR projects.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems introduces the Ranger Ultra, the ultimate corridor mapping system. The Ranger Ultra is the lightest payload in the Ranger series, combining lightweight design with high performance. It features a unique three-faceted mirror for improved mapping of vertical surfaces, a 100-degree horizontal field of view, and a fast measurement rate of up to 1.8 million pulses per second.

The Ranger Ultra is ideal for applications like power line, railway, and pipeline monitoring, topography, urban surveying, archaeology, agriculture, and forestry. With its powerful 1550 nanometer laser, it penetrates dense vegetation, providing high accuracy and point density.

The system is 37% lighter than the Ranger XL, extending UAV flight endurance without compromising performance. Suitable for both UAV and helicopter use, the Ranger Ultra ensures precise data collection for demanding aerial mapping projects. Watch the video to learn more about its specifications, performance, and how it can enhance your LiDAR projects.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems addresses the challenges of sharing LiDAR data between service providers and end users. He introduces LiDARMill’s Cloud Viewer, a solution that simplifies the process of sharing detailed photorealistic 3D data. Traditional LiDAR data sharing methods can be cumbersome for end users who may lack the software and skills needed to view and navigate LiDAR data efficiently. Cloud Viewer eliminates these barriers by allowing users to share point clouds and geospatial data through a simple URL link, accessible on any device without the need for an account or login.

Kory explains how to use LiDARMill and Cloud Viewer to upload LAS or LAZ files, incorporate ground control points, mission trajectories, and more. Users can customize appearance parameters, create cross-sections, adjust data visualization, and even generate fly-throughs for presentations. The video emphasizes the ease of use and the powerful features of Cloud Viewer, making it an essential tool for surveyors, engineers, and other professionals who need to share LiDAR data effectively. Watch the video to learn how to streamline your LiDAR data sharing with Phoenix LiDAR’s Cloud Viewer and request a free 30-day trial to experience its benefits firsthand.

In this video, Kory Kellum from Phoenix LiDAR Systems introduces SpatialExplorer (SE) and its Pro plugin (SE Pro). SE is a powerful desktop software that simplifies LiDAR and image processing. SE Pro includes tools for trajectory processing, LiDAR and camera calibrations, point cloud classification, and generating raster and vector products.

He explains how SpatialExplorer Pro streamlines workflows from selecting a coordinate reference system to post-processing trajectories with NavLab tools. The software allows for precise point cloud creation and refinement, utilizing features like LiDAR Snap for accuracy. It also offers advanced point cloud colorization and classification tools.

SE Pro generates detailed reports and deliverables, saving time for service providers and providing transparency for end users. Additional tools include change detection and application-specific exports. Watch to learn how SE Pro can enhance your LiDAR projects and request a free trial from Phoenix LiDAR Systems.