Importance

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Abstract

A system is described for rapidly and accurately determining the topography of land masses as well as individual x,y,z coordinates of discrete targets. The system incorporates a laser altimeter, a laser scanning/steering system with sensor for receiving reflected laser beams, a global positioning system or other non-ground-based reference means, a video camera, computers, and processing software. The system, mounted to an aircraft, selectively scans or steers a pulsed laser altimeter over a swath or point on earth. A Global Positioning System (GPS) or other non-ground-based reference means records the aircraft's position, altitude, and time of position. Concurrently, a computer system records and time tags the laser's range, scanner angles, and airborne platform's roll, pitch, and heading. The processing software correlates all events and measurements using time to determine precise x,y,z coordinates of the ground/targets. Finally, the system post processes the combined data to produce significant terrain, vegetation, and cultural data.

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First Claim