1.

Remote Sensing Fundamentals

●​ Definition: Remote sensing is the science of acquiring qualitative/quantitative
data about distant objects/environments by measuring electromagnetic energy
(emitted, reflected, or transmitted)
●​ Phases of Analysis: Data acquisition → Preprocessing → Enhancement →
Interpretation → Application.
●​ Advantages: Large area coverage, repeatability, multi-spectral/multitemporal
analysis, non-invasive, global accessibility (no "planetary spatial rights").

- Key Components of RS System

●​ Energy Source: Natural (Sun, Earth) or artificial (radar).
●​ Atmospheric Interaction: Scattering, absorption (e.g., Rayleigh/Mie scattering).
●​ Surface Interaction: Reflectance/emission properties vary by material.
●​ Sensor: Detects energy (passive: measures ambient energy; active: emits energy
like radar).
●​ Data Processing: Interpretation, classification, validation.

2. Electromagnetic Spectrum & Radiation Laws

●​ EM Spectrum: Range of all types of EM radiation (gamma, X-ray, UV, visible, IR,
microwave, radio).
●​ Key Equations:
●​ c=λ⋅ν (speed = wavelength × frequency).
●​ Atmospheric Windows: Wavelength ranges where EM radiation passes through
the atmosphere with minimal absorption1.
●​ Radiometric Quantities:
●​ Irradiance: Power per unit area received.
●​ Radiance: Power per unit area per unit solid angle emitted1.
●​ Blackbody & Real Surfaces:
●​ Blackbody: Idealized object absorbing all incident radiation.
●​ Real Surface: Partial absorber/emitter1.
Radiation Laws
●​ Planck’s Law: Describes blackbody spectral radiance as a function of wavelength
and temperature1.
●​ Stefan-Boltzmann Law: M=σT4 (total emitted power ∝ temperature⁴).
●​ Wien’s Law: Peak wavelength inversely proportional to temperature ( λmax=b/T)
●​ Kirchhoff’s Law: For a body in thermal equilibrium, emissivity = absorptivity at
each wavelength.

3. Energy Sources & Atmospheric Effects

●​ Sun & Earth: Sun is the primary energy source; Earth emits mostly in IR1.
●​ Atmospheric Stratification: Layers based on temperature (troposphere,
stratosphere, etc.)1.
●​ Aerosols: Particles in atmosphere affecting scattering/absorption1.
●​ Atmospheric Absorption/Transmission: Gases absorb specific wavelengths;
windows allow transmission1.
●​ Reflection & Scattering:
●​ Rayleigh: Small particles, affects blue light (why sky is blue).
●​ Mie: Larger particles, affects all wavelengths14.

4. Surface Interaction & Spectral Signatures

●​ Radiation Geometry: Describes angles of incidence, reflection, and emission1.
●​ Specular vs. Lambertian Reflection:
●​ Specular: Mirror-like, angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
●​ Lambertian: Perfectly diffuse, equal intensity in all directions1.
●​ Spectral Signatures: Unique reflectance/emittance patterns for materials (water,
soil, vegetation)1.
●​ Water: Absorbs IR, reflects little.
●​ Snow/Ice: High reflectance in visible/NIR.
●​ Vegetation: High NIR reflectance, absorbs red/blue1.
5. Human Vision & Colorimetry
●​ Optical & View Axis: Geometric lines through eye components1.
●​ Vision Theory: Three cones (L, M, S) sensitive to red, green, blue1.
●​ Colorimetry:
●​ CIE System: Standard for color measurement, based on human perception.
●​ Chromaticity Diagram: Plots color coordinates.
●​ Luminous vs. Illuminant Sources: Objects emitting vs. reflecting light1.

6. Geometric & Radiometric Concepts

●​ Geometric Optics: Focal length, field of view, acquisition angles1.
●​ Resolution Types:
●​ Spatial (Geometric): Smallest object distinguishable.
●​ Spectral: Number/width of bands.
●​ Radiometric: Sensitivity to intensity differences.
●​ Temporal: Frequency of data acquisition134.
●​ Scale Factor: Ratio of image to ground distance1.
●​ Modulation Transfer Function (MTF): Measures system’s ability to preserve
contrast1.

7. Sensors & Data Acquisition

●​ Active vs. Passive Sensors:
●​ Active: Emit own signal (e.g., radar).
●​ Passive: Detect natural radiation (e.g., optical)12.
●​ CCD Sensors: Convert light to electronic signals1.
●​ Sensor Calibration: Ensures accurate radiometric measurements12.
●​ Scanning Systems:
●​ Whiskbroom: Across-track, moving mirror.
●​ Pushbroom: Along-track, linear array.
●​ Matrix: 2D array1.
8. Image Processing & Interpretation
●​ Image Matrix: Pixel arrangement, digital number (DN) values1.
●​ Data Formats: TIFF, JPEG, etc.1.
●​ Interpretation Keys: Tone, texture, shape, size, pattern, association1.
●​ Image Statistics & Histograms: Analyze pixel value distribution1.
●​ Scatter Plots: Compare two bands for classification1.
●​ Contrast Enhancement: Improves visual distinction1.
●​ Density Slicing & LUTs: Assign colors to ranges of values1.
●​ Local Transformation & Digital Filters: Enhance or extract features1.
●​ Geometric Correction: Aligns image to map coordinates1.
●​ Radiometric Resampling: Adjusts pixel values post-correction1.

9. Classification Techniques
●​ Process: Assign pixels to categories based on spectral properties1.
●​ Unsupervised Classification: Clustering (e.g., ISODATA)1.
●​ Supervised Classification:
●​ Training Phase: Define classes with known samples.
●​ Minimum Distance: Assign pixel to nearest class mean.
●​ Parallelepiped: Assign if within class bounds.
●​ Maximum Likelihood: Assign by statistical probability.
●​ SAM (Spectral Angle Mapper): Compares spectral angles1.
●​ Confusion Matrix: Assesses classification accuracy1.

10. Orbital & Platform Considerations

●​ Orbits: Geosynchronous (fixed over point), Sun-synchronous (consistent
lighting)2.
●​ Swath: Ground width imaged in one pass1.
●​ Platform Attitude & Velocity: Affect image geometry1.
●​ Earth Rotation & Curvature: Affect image acquisition and correction1.
●​ Panoramic Distortion: Curved images from wide FOV1.

4-Day Memorization Plan

Day 1:
●​ Fundamentals, EM spectrum, Radiation Laws, Atmospheric Effects
Day 2:
●​ Surface Interactions, Spectral Signatures, Human Vision, Colorimetry
Day 3:
●​ Geometric & Radiometric Concepts, Sensors, Data Acquisition
Day 4:
●​ Image Processing, Classification, Orbits, Review with practice questions

Memorization Tips (INTP-Optimized)

●​ Focus on logical connections (e.g., how laws relate to sensor design).
●​ Use diagrams for EM spectrum, reflection types, and colorimetry.
●​ Practice with sample questions and create mnemonics for laws and processes.
●​ Summarize each section in your own words for deeper understanding.