Topic outline

  • Introduction to Airborne Topographic LiDAR

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides a brief introduction to LIDAR Surveying. The Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) System, also known as Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), is a remote sensing method utilized to gauge the distance to an object by calculating the flight time of a emitted laser beam. To cover a wide area from an airborne platform, a scanning mechanism, often an oscillating mirror, is used to direct a sequence of laser pulses (typically over 100 KHz). All airborne LiDAR systems employ key technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to establish the location and orientation of the remote sensor situated on the airborne platform. The resulting data is commonly employed to measure the topography of the land surface, encompassing the bare earth topography, which excludes buildings and vegetation.

    Topics:

    • Introduction to Airborne Topographic LiDAR
    • Principles and Operation of LiDAR Systems
    • Remote Sensing Techniques for Topographic Mapping
    • Components of an Airborne LiDAR System
    • Scanning Mechanisms and Laser Pulse Generation
    • Enabling Technologies: Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
    • Data Acquisition and Processing
    • Data Analysis and Interpretation
    • Applications of Airborne Topographic LiDAR
    • Limitations and Challenges in Airborne LiDAR Mapping
    • Best Practices and Quality Control in LiDAR Data Collection
    • Case Studies and Examples of Airborne Topographic LiDAR Applications

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for professional land surveyors, civil, land development, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of airborne LiDAR surveying principles and methods.
    Publication Source: USACE

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1