Remote Sensing
Remote Sensing
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Active Sensor
• Active sensors, on the other hand, provide
their own energy source for illumination.
• The sensor emits radiation which is directed
toward the target to be investigated. The
radiation reflected from that target is detected
and measured by the sensor.
• Active sensors can be used for examining
wavelengths that are not sufficiently provided
by sun such as microwave.
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Earth Surface
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Passive and Active Sensor
• A camera provides an excellent example of both passive
and active sensors.
• During a bright sunny day, enough sunlight is
illuminating the targets and then reflecting toward the
camera lens, that the camera simply records the
radiation provided (passive mode).
• On a cloudy day or inside a room, there is often not
enough sunlight for the camera to record the targets
adequately. Instead, it uses its own energy source-a
flash-to illuminate the targets and record the radiation
reflected from them (active mode).
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Passive Sensor
• Passive sensors measure energy that is naturally available.
• Require sunlight/emission from ground objects.
• Normally shorter wavelengths are used.
• Limited control on the way that a target is illuminated.
• Most often the natural source of EM energy is sun, sometimes
earth.
• Clouds, dust, smoke, and other particles in the atmosphere can
block reflected energy from target to sensor.
• Measurements are less controlled because of varying illumination
condition.
• Multispectral and hyperspectral are example passive remote
sensing products.
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Active Sensor
• Active sensors provide their own energy source for illumination.
• Can obtain measurements anytime, regardless of the time of day
or season.
• Normally longer wavelengths are used.
• Examine wavelengths that are not sufficiently provided by the
sun (microwaves).
• Better control the way that a target is illuminated.
• Measurements are more controlled because they don’t depend
on varying illumination condition.
• Less effect of dust, smoke and other particles in atmosphere
because of longer wavelength.
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Active Sensor
• Examples of other active sensor-based
technologies include: scanning electron
microscopes, LiDAR, RADAR, x-ray, SONAR.
Sensor
• Depending on the method of scanning:
Whiskbroom Sensor- Across the track scanning
Sensor/Cross Track
Pushbroom Sensor- Along the track scanning
sensor
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Whiskbroom Sensor
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Whiskbroom Sensor
• Back and forth motion of the optics
• Image is bulit up by movement of the satellite along
the orbital track and scanning across the track
• Sensor scan earth in a series of lines
• The lines are oriented perpendicular to the direction
of motion of the sensor platform
• Each line is scanned from one side of the sensor to
the other, using a rotating mirror.
• As the platform moves forward over the earth,
successive scans build up a two-dimensional image of
the earth surface
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Pushbroom Sensor
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Pushbroom sensor
• Uses forward motion of the platform to record
successive scan lines and build up a two
dimensional image perpendicular to the flight
direction
• Instead of a scanning mirror, they use linear
array of detectors located at focal plane of
image formed by lens system, which are
pushed along in flight track direction.
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Differences
Whiskbroom Sensor Pushbroom Sensor
Wide swath width Narrow swath width