Future of 3-D Data Capture - Essay Example

High resolution satellite data & Future of 3-D data capture Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name 20th December, 2011 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Resolution 3 3-D Data Capturing 4 Satellite Analysis 5 Strengths 5 Weaknesses 5 Opportunities 6 Threats 6 Satellite Application 6 Planning 6 Agriculture 8 Risk Mitigation 9 GPS Systems 10 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Data and information is stored in different formats and one of the newest forms of data storage is through 3-D high data capture. Capturing of geographical information is very important since this information is utilized in different fields. For instance, planes and ships make use of this information in their travel undertakings. Long ago it was difficult to capture satellite imagery on 3-D formats. However, that has changed with the advancement of satellite imagery to allow capture of geographical information in 3-D format. Satellites are used in a variety of fields such as agriculture, meteorology, geology and conservation. However, satellites are more utilized in the production and portrayal of maps. Satellite imagery is one of the most powerful forms of capturing data or images of earth forms or the world. Satellite images are visible in different colors and spectra and this is useful in interpreting data on earth’s activities. Resolution Satellite images are better described by through use of their different resolution used in satellite analysis. These four resolutions include spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric. Spatial resolution is usually defined as the pixel size which represents the size of the surface area. On the other hand, spectral resolution is defined by wavelength’s internal size and the number of intervals that the sensor is measuring. Temporal resolution is characterized the imagery collection achieved through differences in time passage between images. Moreover, radiometric resolution is defined by the different brightness collected through many levels (Lee, 2004, p.35). The resolution of a given satellite depends on the instrument used to manufacture the satellite and the distance of the satellite from the earth. There are several satellites that have been launched in space to capture images of the earth. Some of these satellites are government owned with a few of them deployed for commercial purposes. For instance, the GeoEye-1 satellite was launched on September 2008. This satellite has the highest resolution with ability to collect images with a ground resolution of 0.41 meters. This satellite has the ability to also collect images with color or multi-spectral characteristics. Moreover, this satellite has the capabilities to capture images using four stage multistage imaging capabilities (O'council, 2001). 3-D Data Capturing Data capturing is very important especially for the purposes of generating three dimensional or spatiotemporal images. There is several of collecting 3-D data using sensor technology. These techniques include optical, acoustic, laser scanning, radar, thermal, seismic procedures. The process of processing 3-D images involves acquisition of 2-D images and reconstructing them through use of stereo images pairs.  Photogrammetric sampling is a technique which is used in the process of putting together 2-D images through overlapping to come up with 3-D images. This process involves the use of powerful digital cameras whereby images of close range buildings or objects are taken and then transformed through reconstruction in a process similar to aerial photogrammetry (Aaviksoo, 2008, p.109-111). Another method of acquiring 3-D topologically controlled data from 2-D aerial images. This process involves the manual digitizing of a number of points essential for automatic reconstructing the 3-D objects. Each of the images is reconstructed through the validation of superimposed wire frame graphics. The best method in collecting 3-D data or images is through the use of sensor data which allows for production of high resolution images. This method is effective in producing quality images without necessarily moving closer to the image. Satellites have the capability of capturing surface images through complex photo sensing. The images obtained from satellite images are stored in databases using GIS systems (Sheldon, 2000). Satellites allow for images of far located and difficult to photograph images to be produced easily. For instance, satellites have the capability of producing images on Antarctica, mountains and deep valleys. Satellite Analysis Satellite use is changing the way earth observation and imagery is conducted. Satellite imagery has been utilized in many special applications and thus it is important to analyze its importance. In the process of analyzing the use of the high resolution data on the effect of 3-D data, we have to conduct a SWOT analysis: Strengths Satellites are very powerful in acquiring images with high resolution from different locations in the globe. Satellite technology has been utilized in very many situations whereby images are acquired for use in risk mitigation or for commercial purposes. Satellite data can be integrated with other technologies such as GPS for the purposes of acquiring clear 3-D images. Satellite can be utilized in very many fields including the entertainment, agriculture, mining and other fields. This is because satellite imagery can be transformed into 2-D, 3-D and various other formats (Hodgson, 2010, p.22). Weaknesses Satellite technology is one of the best technologies in the capturing data but it is only suited for large experiments. Satellite data is costly and this limits the use of satellite data in different fields. Satellite data take a long time to analyze and thus it limits the use of satellite data in different fields. Satellite data is dynamic and changes very often thus; acquiring satellite imagery is very difficult (Rodgers, 2007, p.65). Opportunities Satellite use is growing in the world since more organizations or governments are utilizing this technology. For instance, early warning systems and earth observation rely on satellite data fused with 3-D data capture to acquire information. Satellite use has the opportunity to grow in the communication field whereby people could share locations using GPS enabled devices which can receive satellite data. Satellite data has been utilized in communication with the latest technologies of GPS allowing for geo-tagging. This is utilized by Google through Google map or GPS tracking in vehicles or people (Netzband, 2007). Threats Satellite use is costly and prohibitive to be deployed in various fields and this presents the challenge of utilizing it. Moreover, satellite use can be misused by governments or organizations to spy on one another. Satellite data require software that is costly to process the signals and imagery in suitable formats (Aaviksoo, 2008, p.108). As a result, researchers and other people make use of powerful photographic methods to acquire images. Satellite Application The art of utilizing satellites in the process of acquiring data is very important and thus satellite technology has been utilized in various fields. Satellite image processing is utilized in the fields of agriculture, mining, entertainment and urban planning. Below we will look into the different industries that will be affected by satellite imagery in respect to 3-D data capture. Planning High impact resolution satellites have changed the way maps and geographical information is collected. High impact satellite data has made it easier for governments and city plans to plan their cities in an efficient manner. Today it is easy to acquire 3-D images of a country or city and therefore, it has reduced costs and time utilized in drawing maps. Satellite data capture is utilized in urban planning in several cities around the globe. Urban planning is very important for the purposes of finding suitable locations for urban population while at the same time analyzing the environment (Robinson, 2008). Through the use of satellite imagery, municipal and city planners have a chance of planning cities easily. Satellites allow city planners to reconstruct and retrieve images which are used in advance planning of city amenities. Satellites such as the Optical VHR (Very High Resolution) satellites acquire images in two different ways; one producing a panchromatic image. This technique captures an entire spectrum of standard black and white images while another second technique produces images using multispectral bands. This second technique captures visible lights with colours such as red, blue or green in specific wavelengths. Panchromatic images tend to have higher and finer geometric resolution than colour bands. Moreover, there are image processing techniques which combine multi-spectral bands with the high resolution of panchromatic band with colour formation to produce clearer colour images (Hodgson, 2010, p.23-24). In the planning process, satellite images are used in visualization of GIS data. On the other hand, advertising companies utilize 3-D data for advertising thus satellite imagery enhances the production and marketing of these images. However, the most important use of satellite imagery is environmental and climatic analysis. Satellite imagery is important in producing satellite images of climatic conditions over different global regions (Longley, 2003). Satellites are able to produce clear images of change in climatic conditions allowing researchers to predict climatic conditions. As a result, governments and other stakeholders can make plans on how to counter or cope with these conditions. Agriculture The use of high resolution satellite data will revolutionalize the way agriculture is practiced globally. Satellite data is able to provide high quality and 3-D images of different lands globally. As the global population continues to grow, there is a need to explore more land for agriculture to feed the global population. High resolution satellite images of distinct and far places can be produced over a long period of time. This information would be useful in analyzing the most appropriate form of agriculture to be practiced in a particular region. For instance, satellite imagery is useful in gathering climate conditions and changes in land formation in any global region (Lee, 2004, p.37). Regions which experience erratic weather climates are suitable for the study of climatic conditions to determine suitability of agriculture. Furthermore, the integration of high resolution satellite mapping makes the analysis of vegetation cover to be easier. Satellites allow for researchers to conduct object based classification which is very detailed and particular in analyzing vegetation. Satellites are very good in the analysis of weather patterns and thus it can provide very clear images of different weather patterns. As a result, 3-D data derived from satellite imagery can be used as part of early warning systems. Farmers and stakeholders can then arrange themselves and practice good farming while avoiding being victims of the climate. Satellite images have been used in remote places and even to survey land covered with forests (Longley, 2003). For instance, the savannah vegetation in Namibia which is covered by heavy tree covered was surveyed by a satellite with 84% accuracy. Namibia is made up of big savannah vegetation cover and thus a satellite was used in analyzing the suitability of practicing agriculture in the country. As a result, a satellite by the name of IKONOS was used in preparing the imagery of the Namibian savannah. The IKONOS had the capability to collect information concerning the land situation around the Namibian and conduct a demography study (Bates, 2008, p.70). Satellite imagery on agricultural lands has also enhanced the collection of data and spatial information is necessary in identification of changes in the agricultural lands. Risk Mitigation The world experiences several natural catastrophes at any given time of the year and this leads to loss of human lives, destruction and huge financial losses. With the advancement of satellite imagery, 3-D images of the earth can now be achieved through use of satellites. Satellite makes use of remote sensing tools provide detailed images that help in the mitigation of these natural catastrophes. Moreover, data sourced from satellite imagery can be stored and analyzed using GIS (geographic information systems) for future use. The information collected from the satellite imagery is stored in 3-D formats in data stores for indexing to be utilized in the future (Tomme, 2006, p.44). As a result, GIS provides for a risk based analysis and information disclosure which are effective in supporting risk reduction. These types of data is now utilised in several occasions such as analysis of hurricanes and tsunamis. Catastrophes cause a lot of damage to cities resulting in deaths and huge financial losses. In the year 2010, a major earthquake struck Haiti leading to loss of around 200, 000 lives. As a result, information has to be collected on all these disasters to find out means of mitigating these catastrophes. Satellites have the capability to produce 3-D images that could be utilized in designing and implementing early warning systems. These early warning systems could be utilized by weathermen, governmental stakeholders and other people. Earthquakes, floods and other catastrophes can be easily detected by use of satellites since detailed landscape topography information usually in the form of a digital elevation model (DEM). This technique is effective in generating scenarios of catastrophes through earth observation procedures which monitor changes in the earth’s movements (Buckley, 2008, p.103). Terrain characteristics can be easily detected through use of terrain modelling techniques by satellites combined with DEM to produce clear images. On the other hand, wildfires which pose a serious threat on lives are detected through use of GIS models which facilitate the simulation of spread fires under various weather conditions. GPS Systems Satellite imagery has found new and advanced use in the GPS systems field whereby satellite are utilised in locating places. GPS technology relies heavily on satellite data to pinpoint the location of different places. Satellite data has made the GPS technology to bring clearer 3-D images of places, vehicles or buildings. Through use of triangulation of satellite signals, GPS receivers can easily calculate these co-ordinates and return picture clear results. GPS receivers could be connected to digital video cameras which to record images in 3-D to bring about clearer images to be used in risk assessment (Bates, 2008, p.68). Several researchers have pioneered the use of satellite imagery and GPS systems in their work of producing precise images around the world. Using the technology of professional differential GPS, signals from GPS systems can be deployed from a range of 10m all the way to 30 m above. In some instances, satellites are exploited with GPS devices which record Ground Control Points (GCP) used in geo-referencing satellite images. GPS receivers are bulky and they have to be mounted on trivets during the process of data capture. The satellite has changed the process of data capture through the introduction of mass market GPS devices. These devices include digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs or Laptops (Tomme, 2006, p.42). A new technique known as geo-tagging has been enhanced through satellite imagery whereby a device such as a digital camera has the capability of producing pictures with attached locations. Satellite in conjunction with different GPS systems has changed global navigation. For instance, the Russian GLONASS or the Galileo European system, has allowed easier navigation on vehicles or boats by making use of the GPS systems (Robinson, 2008). GPS co-ordinates could be linked with photographs to create digital maps such as the one utilized by Google maps. Conclusion Satellite data has changed the world of geography and image capturing techniques in the globe. The use of satellites data has been utilized in various fields including agriculture, mining and risk mitigation. Satellite data has the advantage of covering a huge area of the globe and it can retrieve images of nay location in the globe easily. The application of satellite data has been useful in acquiring 3-D data that is important in planning in the fields of agriculture, weather prediction and GPS systems. For instance, many natural disasters could have been avoided if satellite data had been deployed in these situations. Satellites have different data resolutions that allow for different techniques of data capturing. Satellite’s resolution allow for capturing of images from different angles with capabilities of taking images up to a low of 1.4 meters. Satellite use has revolutionalized the way data is captured and thus is has enhanced the way 3-D data is captured, stored and exploited. References Aaviksoo, K. and Muru, K., 2008. A Methodology of the Satellite Mapping and Monitoring of Protected Landscapes in Europe. European Journal of Ecology, 57(1), p.108-113. Bates, K. et al.,2008. High-resolution Lidar and Photogrammetric Survey of the Fumanya Dinosaur Tracksites (Catalonia): Implications for the Conservation and Interpretation of Geological Heritage Sites. Journal of the Geological Society, 165(1), p.67-71. Buckley, S. Howell, J. Enge, T. and Kurz, H., 2008. Terrestrial Laser Scanning in Geology: Data Acquisition, Processing and Accuracy Considerations. 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