REMOTE SENSING

• What is Remote Sensing? 

• Remote sensing involves detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation from a distance, typically using sensors on satellites, aircraft, or drones.

Compared to satellites and manned aircraft, drones offer:

• High-resolution imaging at low altitudes

• Real-time data collection

• Low operational costs

• Access to hard-to-reach or hazardous areas

• Frequent and flexible deployments

Common Sensors on Drones

1. RGB Cameras – Standard cameras for capturing visible light.

2. Multispectral Cameras – Capture specific bands (e.g., red, green, NIR) for vegetation and water analysis.

3. Thermal Cameras – Detect heat signatures; used in energy audits, wildlife tracking, etc.

4. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) – Produces 3D maps with high accuracy.

5. Hyperspectral Sensors – Capture hundreds of bands for detailed material analysis.

6. Gas Sensors – Measure gases like CO₂, CH₄ in environmental monitoring.

Data Processing Workflow

1. Data Collection – Drone flights capture raw sensor data.

2. Georeferencing – Aligning data with GPS coordinates.

3. Data Analysis – Using GIS, photogrammetry, or AI-based software to extract insights.

4. Visualization – Creating maps, 3D models, or thematic layers.

Software Tools Used

• Pix4D / DroneDeploy / Agisoft Metashape – Photogrammetry and 3D modeling

• QGIS / ArcGIS – GIS data processing

• MATLAB / Python – Custom analytics and AI integration

• Google Earth Engine – Cloud-based satellite and UAV data analysis

Advantages

• High precision and resolution

• Cost-effective for small to medium areas

• Immediate data availability

• Customizable for specific sensing missions

Challenges

• Regulatory restrictions (e.g., no-fly zones, altitude limits)

• Limited flight time (battery constraints)

• Data management and storage

• Weather dependency