Retrieval of terrestrial structural characteristics from satellite laser altimeter waveforms

Hui Zhou; Song Li

doi:10.1117/12.790928

22 February 2008 Retrieval of terrestrial structural characteristics from satellite laser altimeter waveforms

Hui Zhou, Song Li

Proceedings Volume 6622, International Symposium on Photoelectronic Detection and Imaging 2007: Laser, Ultraviolet, and Terahertz Technology; 662224 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790928
Event: International Symposium on Photoelectronic Detection and Imaging: Technology and Applications 2007, 2007, Beijing, China

Abstract

Satellite Laser Altimeter (SLA) mounts on a satellite, emitting a laser pulse that is reflected diffusely on the terrain, and partly return to the platform. The time of flight (TOF) of pulse and the emitter's position and orientation are used for determining terrain height. A new generation of laser altimeters additionally records the shape of the returning pulse. This recorded waveform carries information on the reflecting objects within the pulse diameter. Analysis of waveform is expected to retrieve terrestrial structural characteristics (e.g. slope, layer and reflectivity), besides terrain range. In this paper, a time dependent description of return pulse signal power is derived and terrestrial property is considered. By a nonlinear least square algorithm using suited initial parameter, the waveforms return pulse are modeled as a sum of Gaussian function. We show that terrestrial characteristics can be derived from parameters of Gaussian components - the centroid, width, area and number. The conclusion in this paper provides a theoretical foundation for retrieval of terrestrial structure.

Citation Download Citation

Hui Zhou and Song Li "Retrieval of terrestrial structural characteristics from satellite laser altimeter waveforms", Proc. SPIE 6622, International Symposium on Photoelectronic Detection and Imaging 2007: Laser, Ultraviolet, and Terahertz Technology, 662224 (22 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790928

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
7 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Pulsed laser operation

Reflectivity

Satellites

Atmospheric modeling

Earth sciences

Sensors

Receivers

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years