This document discusses the fundamentals of remote sensing. It covers the concept of remote sensing, the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, the classification of EM radiation, and types of remote sensing. The concept section defines remote sensing and describes the flow and process. It involves an energy source, interaction with the target, sensor recording, transmission and processing, interpretation and analysis, and application. Characteristics of EM radiation include wavelength, frequency and speed. Classification involves the different names and wavelengths that make up the EM spectrum, as well as the principal atmospheric windows and bands used in remote sensing. Types of remote sensing are also addressed.

1. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
1. Concept of Remote Sensing
2. Characteristics of E-M Radiation
3. Classification of E-M Radiation
4. Types of Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

2. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
1. Concept of Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

3. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Concept of Remote Sensing (1)
Definition
Remote sensing is the art, science and
technology of acquiring information about the
Earth's surface without actually being in contact
with it. This is done by sensing and recording
reflected or emitted energy and processing,
analyzing, and applying that information.
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

4. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Concept of Remote Sensing (2)
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

5. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Flow of Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

6. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Remote Sensing Process (1)
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

7. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Remote Sensing Process (2)
The process of remote sensing involves the interaction between
the incident radiation and the targets in question. It can be
summarized as shown in the figure as:-
Energy source or illumination (A)- This is a fundamental
requirement in RS and the purpose is to provide
electromagnetic energy to the target of interest.
Radiation and the Atmosphere (B)- As the energy travels
through the atmosphere from the source and the target
some interactions will take place.
Interaction with the Target (C) – Interactions will take
place between the target and the radiation and this will
depend on the properties of both the target and the
radiation.
Recording of Energy by the sensor (D) – Reflected and
emitted energy from the target is recorded by a sensor.
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

8. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Remote Sensing Process (3)
Transmission, Reception and Processing (E)-the energy
recorded by the sensor has to be transmitted, often in
electronic form, to a receiving and processing station where
the data are processed into an image (hardcopy and/or
digital).
Interpretation and Analysis (F) - the processed image is
interpreted, visually and/or digitally or electronically, to
extract information about the target which was illuminated.
Application (G) - the final element of the remote sensing
process is achieved when we apply the information we have
been able to extract from the imagery about the target in
order to better understand it, reveal some new information,
or assist in solving a particular problem
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

9. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
2. Characteristics of Electromagnetic
Radiation
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

10. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Electromagnetic Radiation
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

11. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Information from Electromagnetic Radiation
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

12. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
3. Classification of Electromagnetic
Radiation
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

13. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Name and Wavelength of E-M Radiation (1)
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

14. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Name and Wavelength of E-M Radiation (2)
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

15. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Principal Atmospheric Windows used in Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

16. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Bands used in Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

17. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
What do we measure in Remote Sensing?
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

18. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
4. Types of Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

19. FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Civil Engineering
Types of Remote Sensing
B. Sc.(Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi