Technical Know-How
Here you can find out more about the technical side of Skape, with detailed information about the different types of sensors we own.
ADS40 - 25cm Ortho-rectified Imagery
The ADS40 is a state of the art digital sensor that simultaneously collects high resolution natural colour, CIR (False Colour Infrared) and stereo panchromatic imagery - all at the same resolution. Jointly developed between Leica and DLR (German Aerospace Centre), the sensor was brought to market in July 2000 and subsequently purchased by Infoterra in 2005. The technology behind the ADS40 is closer to a satellite system than a traditional aerial survey camera. Most airborne cameras (both analogue and digital) are frame based, meaning that as the aircraft flies, successive photos are taken looking downwards. The ADS40 works on a 'push broom' principle whereby a single line of imagery is recorded perpendicular to the flight direction. As the aircraft flies forward, sequential lines of imagery are recorded - building up an image strip. This method of collection gives a single seamless strip of data for each flight line rather than a series of photographs.
UltraCam X - 10 - 25cm Ortho-rectified Imagery
The UltraCam series of cameras are state of the art digital sensors. They simultaneously collect high resolution natural colour, CIR (False Colour Infrared), and panchromatic imagery. The UltraCam D was announced in March 2003, with Infoterra purchasing an UltraCam X, which superseded the UltraCam D in 2006. The technology behind the UltraCam series of cameras utilises a series of eight lenses which acquire a total of 13 images (nine pan & four multi-spectral), which are then post processed to output the desired final images. This allows the UltraCam cameras to operate at resolutions & frame rates, which are not possible with other systems.
MIDAS - 10cm Oblique Imagery & True Ortho
The MIDAS oblique camera was developed by TRACK'AIR, utilising professional quality, commercially available cameras and lenses to develop a multi-look oblique camera system. The MIDAS acquires five RGB images simultaneously, one looking down vertically & four obliquely at 45 degrees from vertical at the four cardinal points of the system, i.e. one forward, one to the left, one to the back & one to the right.
ALTM Gemini - High Resolution Elevation Models
The ALTM (Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper) Gemini is an airborne scanner that makes precise, high resolution elevation measurements. By using systems such as the ALTM Gemini, Infoterra can produce DEMs (Digital Elevations Models) and DTMs (Digital Terrain Models) quicker and with more precision and resolution than with any other method. Laser scanners are commonly referred to as LiDar (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) and are similar to radar systems in that they both determine the range (distance) to an object by emitting a pulse of energy & analysing the return. In the case of the ALTM Gemini it measures the time delay between transmission of the outgoing pulse of energy, and detection of the reflected signal. Laser scanners differ from radar because they use much shorter wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum (ultraviolet, visible & near infrared), resulting in a focused beam giving greater vertical and horizontal resolution & therefore greater accuracy.
LMS-Z420i - Static Terrestrial Laser Data
RIEGL LMS-Z420i - Infoterra's terrestrial laser scanner system - consists of a high performance long-range 3D scanner and a calibrated high-resolution Nikon D100 digital camera. The system has the ability to operate at ranges of between two & 1000 metres, collecting at data rates of up to 11,000 points a second. The system is able to generate highly detailed & highly accurate colourised 3D point clouds.
Rapid SurveyorTM Mobile Terrestrial Laser Data
Rapid SurveyorTM is Infoterra's new mobile laser mapping system, powered by two Lynx LiDar sensors developed by Optech, with Infoterra's cooperation as part of an early adopter scheme. This allowed Infoterra to influence the technical development of the sensors to ensure that lessons learnt from previous system trials influenced the final design of the Lynx sensors. With each sensor capable of 100,000 pulses per second, a new level of detail only achieved in static LiDar system, is now achievable using a moving platform. A major benefit of this system is the configuration and orientation of the sensors to ensure minimal occlusion caused by shadowing of objects such as lamp posts, building recesses and cars. This was achieved by positioning the two 360 degree lasers at 45 degrees at both rear corners of the survey vehicle, allowing the system to collect highly detailed 3D point clouds from a moving vehicle.
