LIDAR uses laser pulses to map terrain by measuring distance to targets. Airborne LIDAR systems consist of laser pulse generators, typically 1064nm or 532nm lasers, optics to direct pulses to the ground in swaths, and receivers to detect reflected pulses. Precise timing of reflections allows distance to be calculated, while onboard GPS and navigation track the aircraft position. Computer software processes massive point clouds into high resolution digital elevation models, terrain maps, and other geospatial data products.