LIDAR uses laser light to measure distance by illuminating a target and analyzing the reflected light. It can be used to generate highly accurate 3D models of terrain, infrastructure, and other physical features. LIDAR systems consist of a laser, scanner, photodetector, and navigation components. LIDAR has various applications in fields like geography, archaeology, environment, and autonomous vehicles due to its ability to rapidly capture precise spatial data regardless of lighting conditions.

1. LIDAR
Compiled by:-
R.Sharath Kumar Reddy
ECE-B
107R1A0477

2. WHAT IS LIDAR ? ?
 LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging also
LADAR) is an optical remote sensing
technology that can measure the distance to,
or other properties of a target by illuminating
the target with light, often using pulses from a
laser..

3. General Description
The term "laser radar" is sometimes used, even though,
LIDAR does not employ microwaves or radio waves and
therefore is not radar in the strict sense of the word.
LIDAR uses ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light to
image objects and can be used with a wide range of
targets, including non-metallic objects, rocks, rain,
chemical compounds.
A narrow laser beam can be used to map physical features
with very high resolution.

4. Basic Principle
Distance to clouds
Telescope Laser

5. This animation shows a LIDAR
with a single beam scanned in
one axis.
The top image shows the
scanning
Mechanism.
The middle image shows the
laser's path through a basic
scene.
The bottom image shows the
sensor's output, after
conversion from polar to
Cartesian coordinates.

6. What can we measure with lidar?
• Clouds
• Aerosol
• Water Vapour
• Minor constituents e. g. ozone, hydrocarbons
• Temperature
Lidars can be used from the ground, aircraft or from
space

7. 1) Laser
2) Scanner and optics
3)Photo detector and receiver electronics
4)Position and navigation systems
Components used in lidar...

8. • 600-1000 nm lasers are most common for
non-scientific applications.
• Better target resolution is achieved with
shorter pulses, provided the LIDAR receiver detectors
and electronics have sufficient bandwidth.
Laser

9. • How fast images can be developed is also affected
by the speed at which they are scanned.
• Optic choices affect the angular resolution and
range that can be detected. A hole mirror or
a beam splitter are options to collect a return signal
Scanners and optics

10. • Two main photo detector technologies are used in
Lidars: solid state photo detectors, such as silicon
avalanche photodiodes, or photomultipliers.
• The sensitivity of the receiver is another parameter
that has to be balanced in a LIDAR design.
Photodetector and Receiver
electronics

11. • LIDAR sensors that are mounted on mobile
platforms such as airplanes or satellites
require instrumentation to determine the
absolute position and orientation of the
sensor.
• Such devices generally include a Global
Positioning System receiver and an Inertial
Measurement Unit (IMU).
Position and navigation systems

12. • Agriculture - LIDAR also can be used to help farmers
determine which areas of their fields to apply costly fertilizer
to achieve highest crop yield. LIDAR can create a
topographical map of the fields and reveals the slopes and
sun exposure of the farm land.
• Biology and conservation- LIDAR has also found many
applications in forestry, Canopy heights, biomass
measurements, and leaf area can all be studied using LIDAR
systems. Similarly, LIDAR is also used by many industries,
Including Energy and Railroad, and the Department of
Transportation as a faster way of surveying. Topographic
maps can also be generated readily from LIDAR.
Applications..

13. • Wind farm Optimization-Lidar can be used to
increase the energy output from wind farms by accurately
measuring wind speeds and wind turbulence.
An experimental lidar is mounted on a wind turbine rotor
to measure oncoming horizontal winds, and proactively adjust
blades to protect components and increase power.
• Law enforcement- LIDAR speed guns are used by the
police to measure the speed of vehicles for speed limit
enforcement purposes
Continued..

14. The other methods of topographic data collection are land:
surveying, GPS, inteferrometry, and photogrammetry.LIDAR
technology has some advantages in comparison to these
methods,which are being listed below:
1) Higher accuracy
2) Fast acquisition and processing
3) Minimum human depe11dence- As most of the processes are
automatic unlike photogrammetry, GPS or land surveying.
4) Weather/Light independence- Data collection independent
of sun inclination and at night and slightly bad weather.
5) Canopy penetration-LIDAR pulses can reach beneath the
canopy thus generating measurements of points there unlike
photogrammetry.
Advantages of LIDAR technology

15. 6) Higher data density - Up to 167,000 pulses per second
More than 24 points per m2 can be measured.
and Multiple returns to collect data in 3D.
7) Cost - Is has been found by comparative studies
that LIDAR data is cheaper in many applications. This is
particularly considering the speed, accuracy and density of
data.
Continued..

16. • High operating costs (> £10k / hour)
• Ineffective during heavy rain and/or low cloud/mist
• Degraded at high Sun angles and reflections
• Latency data not processed locally
• Unreliable for water depth (< 2m) and
breaking/turbulent Waves.
• Lack of foliage/vegetation penetration
• Precise alignment must be maintained
Disadvantages

17. The lidar technology is now planned for a wide range of applications
that can enable NASA’s achievement of its scientific and space
exploration goals. These applications fall into four general categories:
a) Earth Science: long-duration orbiting instruments providing global
monitoring of the atmosphere and land
b) Planetary Science: orbiting or land-based scientific instruments
providing geological and atmospheric data of solar system bodies
c) Landing Aid: sensors providing hazard avoidance, guidance and
navigation data
d) Rendezvous and Docking Aid : sensors providing spacecraft bearing,
distance, and approach velocity.
Future scope

18. • Lidar technique allows continuous
monitoring of profiles with good height
resolution.
• Different scattering mechanisms permit
different kinds of measurement.
• New technology offers more compact
sources and development of transportable
and mobile systems.
Summary