Laserkeilausjärjestelmä

Laserkeilausjärjestelmä, known in English as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed laser light to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. The system records reflected light pulses from about 1.5 million points per second. A LiDAR instrument primarily consists of a laser, a scanner, and a GPS receiver. The laser measures the time it takes for a pulse to travel to an object and back. This time is then used to calculate the distance. The scanner directs the laser beam over an area, and the GPS records the precise location of the scanner.

LiDAR technology is used in a variety of applications. In surveying and mapping, it creates highly accurate digital elevation models and digital surface models. These models are crucial for infrastructure planning, flood risk assessment, and geological studies. In forestry, LiDAR can determine tree height, canopy density, and biomass, aiding in forest management and carbon accounting. The automotive industry utilizes LiDAR for autonomous driving systems, enabling vehicles to perceive their surroundings and navigate safely. Environmental monitoring also benefits from LiDAR, for instance, in tracking coastal erosion or mapping ice sheets. The output of a LiDAR system is typically a point cloud, which is a large collection of 3D data points representing the scanned environment. This data can be further processed to create various types of maps and models. The resolution and accuracy of the data depend on the LiDAR sensor's specifications and the flight parameters of the data acquisition platform.