Remote Sensing: LIDAR: Innovations & Standards

LAS Data Format

Spectrum continues to set the standard for the LIDAR industry through innovations and developments. The major photogrammetric software and LIDAR providers (Z/I Imaging, Leica Geosystems and Optech), and the US Army Corps of Engineers Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) have adopted the LAS data format. In 2003, The American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing’s (ASPRS) LIDAR Committee adopted and approved the LAS format for LIDAR data. LAS formatted data will replace the wide variety of proprietary LIDAR formats currently in use, and will significantly improve the flow of data within and between production shops and data providers. Further information on the LAS format can be found on the Internet at www.lasformat.org.



Automatic Filtering Software

The U.S. Army's Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) has selected Spectrum Mapping to develop filtering and classification software for its SBIR Program. Through the funding provided by both TEC and Z/I Imaging, Spectrum has undertaken additional research, development and implementation of our proprietary filtering techniques to produce a commercial product. The ability to cleanly extract surface features using automated processes is critical to the efficient utilization and commercialization of LIDAR data and its related products. Development of the capacity to extract highly accurate elevations for non-bare earth surface features using remote sensing techniques (vegetation canopies, building footprints, bridges, road surfaces, etc.), will play a critical role in the future development of 3-D mapping and analysis techniques.

Spectrum Mapping, LLC is pleased to announce its selection for a 2004 Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Quality Award, titled "Abstraction and Removal of Feature Data to Generate Bare Earth Models from Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Technologies".

The Quality Awards Program, that recognizes SBIR small businesses and SBIR Program Administrators, selected only eight winners, from an initial 4,000 proposals submitted for Phase I. This award for exceptional performance exemplifies the SBIR Program goal of bringing innovative technologies and products to the marketplace. These eight selected projects represent the best in technology innovation, relevance to the needs of the Army, and commercialization potential.


Automated Classification Software

Spectrum Mapping, LLC, a pioneer in the utilization of LIDAR combined with true digital imagery, has now developed a technology, named SILC (Spectral Imagery LIDAR Composite), for the automatic classification of LIDAR points. The SILC process allows multispectral pixels to be associated with individual XYZ values to discriminate between LIDAR points for accurate classification using conventional remote sensing techniques. The standard LAS LIDAR data format had been created to allow this kind of data fusion from multiple sensors.


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