SAR and LIDAR fusion: experiments and applications

Matthew C. Edwards; Evan C. Zaugg; Joshua P. Bradley; Ryan D. Bowden

doi:10.1117/12.2014539

31 May 2013 SAR and LIDAR fusion: experiments and applications

Matthew C. Edwards, Evan C. Zaugg, Joshua P. Bradley, Ryan D. Bowden

Proceedings Volume 8714, Radar Sensor Technology XVII; 87140U (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2014539
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

In recent years ARTEMIS, Inc. has developed a series of compact, versatile Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems which have been operated on a variety of small manned and unmanned aircraft. The multi-frequency-band SlimSAR has demonstrated a variety of capabilities including maritime and littoral target detection, ground moving target indication, polarimetry, interferometry, change detection, and foliage penetration. ARTEMIS also continues to build upon the radar's capabilities through fusion with other sensors, such as electro-optical and infrared camera gimbals and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices. In this paper we focus on experiments and applications employing SAR and LIDAR fusion. LIDAR is similar to radar in that it transmits a signal which, after being reflected or scattered by a target area, is recorded by the sensor. The differences are that a LIDAR uses a laser as a transmitter and optical sensors as a receiver, and the wavelengths used exhibit a very different scattering phenomenology than the microwaves used in radar, making SAR and LIDAR good complementary technologies. LIDAR is used in many applications including agriculture, archeology, geo-science, and surveying. Some typical data products include digital elevation maps of a target area and features and shapes extracted from the data. A set of experiments conducted to demonstrate the fusion of SAR and LIDAR data include a LIDAR DEM used in accurately processing the SAR data of a high relief area (mountainous, urban). Also, feature extraction is used in improving geolocation accuracy of the SAR and LIDAR data.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew C. Edwards, Evan C. Zaugg, Joshua P. Bradley, and Ryan D. Bowden "SAR and LIDAR fusion: experiments and applications", Proc. SPIE 8714, Radar Sensor Technology XVII, 87140U (31 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2014539

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