Sensor Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the characteristics of airborne and satellite multispectral, hyperspectral and ultraspectral sensor systems(1,2,3). This will be an overview rather since there is another module that deals specifically with sensors and platforms.

Multispectral Scanning. The characteristics of line, whisk-broom, push-broom and framing (2-D) array scanners will be present along with examples of current and past systems.

Demonstration of orbital path of the Landsat 7 spacecraft as the earth revolves on its axis.

Demonstration of the Landsat 7 spacecraft "downlinking" the data.

Hyperspectral and Ultraspectral Scanning. The characteristics of imaging spectrometers will be discussed along with examples of current systems.

Ideal Remote Sensing Systems. The characteristics of an ideal sensor system is one which the spectral band widths and instantaneous field of views are represented by uniform band passes, there are no atmospheric affects, all spectral bands are registered perfectly, the signal-to-noise is always sufficient to name a few. The concept presented here is that no physical sensor system available today is ideal. The affects of these non-ideal parameters will be presented.

Exercises and/or Assignments
Getting to Know MultiSpec, RSI ENVI and ERDAS Imagine Software

References:

1. Schott, J.R., Remote Sensing the Image Chain Approach, Oxford University Press, 1997.
   
2. Swain P.H. and Davis, S.M. editors, Remote Sensing, The Quantitative Approach, McGraw-Hill, 1978.
   
3. Landgrebe, D.A., Signal Theory Methods in Multispectral Remote Sensing, Book under development, 2002.