LiCHy: The CAF’s LiDAR, CCD and Hyperspectral Integrated Airborne Observation System

Abstract

Abstract:We describe the design, implementation and performance of a novel airborne system, which integrates commercial waveform LiDAR, CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera and hyperspectral sensors into a common platform system. CAF's (The Chinese Academy of Forestry) LiCHy (LiDAR, CCD and Hyperspectral) Airborne Observation System is a unique system that permits simultaneous measurements of vegetation vertical structure, horizontal pattern, and foliar spectra from different view angles at very high spatial resolution (~1 m) on a wide range of airborne platforms. The horizontal geo-location accuracy of LiDAR and CCD is about 0.5 m, with LiDAR vertical resolution and accuracy 0.15 m and 0.3 m, respectively. The geo-location accuracy of hyperspectral image is within 2 pixels for nadir view observations and 5-7 pixels for large off-nadir observations of 55˝with multi-angle modular when comparing to LiDAR product. The complementary nature of LiCHy's sensors makes it an effective and comprehensive system for forest inventory, change detection, biodiversity monitoring, carbon accounting and ecosystem service evaluation. The LiCHy system has acquired more than 8000 km 2 of data over typical forests across China. These data are being used to investigate potential LiDAR and optical remote sensing applications in forest management, forest carbon accounting, biodiversity evaluation, and to aid in the development of similar satellite configurations. This paper describes the integration of the LiCHy system, the instrument performance and data processing workflow. We also demonstrate LiCHy's data characteristics, current coverage, and potential vegetation applications.

Combining Airborne and Terrestrial Laser Scanning Technologies to Measure Forest Understorey Volume

“…ALS data were acquired in December 2013 and March 2014 with a Yun-12 airplane at an altitude of approximately 1500 m. The sensor used was a RIEGL LMS-Q680i, with full-waveform data acquired [33]. The raw data were decomposed according to Gaussian decomposition models into discrete returns and georeferenced with position and orientation data.…”

Aboveground Biomass Estimation of Individual Trees in a Coastal Planted Forest Using Full-Waveform Airborne Laser Scanning Data

“…The sensor was integrated in the LiDAR, CCD and Hyperspectral (LiCHy) Airborne Observation System on a Cessna 208B fixed-wing aircraft [41]. The wall-to-wall ALS data were acquired by the system operated at 600 m, 900 m and 1200 m aboveground level, with a flight speed of 65 m·s −1 .…”

Understanding Forest Health with Remote Sensing-Part II—A Review of Approaches and Data Models

“…[197] Multiple platforms for a given sensor type, e.g., the forthcoming Radarsat Constellation of three platforms provides potential for more frequent data acquisition. [198] Multi-sensor systems on single platforms are promising, as they: (1) Enable data related to different ST to be recorded at the same time; (2) Ensure the same illumination conditions, weather conditions and flight parameters.…”

“…Alternatively, multi-sensor systems on single platforms are promising, as they: (a) enable the simultaneous acquisition of information related to different ST; and (b) ensure the same illumination conditions, weather conditions and flight parameters for all mounted sensors. Multi-sensor approaches on airborne platforms can include hyperspectral, multispectral, TIR, RGB, LiDAR, active RADAR and passive microwave sensors to quantify spectral trait indicators of FH [198]. For example, the Goddard LiDAR hyperspectral and thermal (G-LiHT) airborne imaging system integrates a combination of lightweight and portable multi-sensors for measuring vegetation structure, foliar spectra and surface temperatures at a high spatial resolution (1 m) to map plant species composition, plant functional types, biodiversity, biomass as well as plant growth [16,136].…”