Memorandum

To: Professor Karen Thompson

From: Eric Larson
Date: May 30, 2014
Subject: Writing to Define and Describe Technical Information

This memo is in response to your request for an extended technical definition, and a developed
technical description. Throughout this memo, I will discuss the audience, purpose, placement,
and visuals that will aid in the development of both the definition and description. I have chosen
to discuss the remote sensing technology LiDAR, or (Light Detection and Ranging), which is a
remote sensing method used to examine the surface of the Earth.

Audience

The audience for describing and defining LiDAR would be a general audience of people who
look at, and read general reference maps. This audience could be comprised of students,
teachers, construction workers, loggers, hikers and backpackers, or children. The level of the
audiences education will most likely vary, that is why both the technical definition and
description have been written with the thought of low-level expertise in mind.

Purpose

The purpose of the technical definition and description of the Light Detection and Ranging
(LiDAR) method of remote sensing is to educate map-readers on where the information on the
map comes from. In addition to source information, map-readers will also become informed on
how a LiDAR system gathers information from Earths surface, and incorporates that
information into readable maps that provide spatial information to the reader.

Placement

The placement of the definition and description would be in a brochure or pamphlet available at
USDA Forest Service stations in every county. The brochure would be next to forest service
maps so when the interested audience purchases a map and asks where the information comes
from, there is a brochure right next to them, with the purpose of providing the information they
need. The technical definition would come first, followed by the developed technical
description.






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Technical Definition: Light Detection and Ranging, (LiDAR)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines remote sensing as the science of
obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or satellites.
LiDAR is a remote sensing method that uses light from a laser to measure ranges, or variable
distances to the Earth. These lights combined with other data recorded by the airborne system
such as elevation generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth
and its surface characteristics. A LiDAR instrument consists of a laser, a scanner, and a
specialized GPS receiver. LiDAR data is predominantly acquired using aircraft such as planes
and helicopters, and the data gathered is topographic or bathymetric.

LiDAR Laser. The laser that LiDAR uses can be one of two different types. The first type of
laser that LiDAR uses is an infrared laser. This laser is used to gain topographic or elevation
data concerning the Earths ground surface such as mountains, plains, and cities. The second
type of laser is a blue-green laser that is used for bathymetry, or underwater data, such as sea
floor elevation and river or streambed elevations. The laser is projected downward, out of the
aircraft, as it hits the Earths surface; the laser returns to the aircraft and is read by the scanner.

LiDAR Scanner. The scanner used in a LiDAR system, takes the information from the infrared
or blue-green laser and records the data from the landscape that the laser is reading. Information
about distance, elevation, and vegetation or infrastructure is stored and processed by the scanner.
The scanner is mounted on the underside if the aircraft, and works with the laser and the GPS
system to provide accurate data of the landscape being surveyed.

GPS Receiver. The GPS receiver, or Global Positioning System, maintains the course of the
aircraft and makes sure that the right area is being surveyed. With the help of many satellites,
the GPS receiver locks the location of the laser, and gives geographic coordinates to every piece
of information recorded by the scanner. This process is pivotal when analysts begin to process
the data and get it ready to be projected onto a map.

Aircraft. Airplanes, helicopters, and satellites are the
ideal vehicles for conducting LiDAR surveys and
gaining important spatial information of our planet.
Because of the great distances and large areas surveyed
by LiDAR, airplanes and helicopters provide the best
route for gaining information. The LiDAR unit may be
mounted to the bottom of the aircraft and operated
remotely, by someone inside the aircraft, or on the
ground. For larger LiDAR units, an individual will
remain present with the apparatus in order to maintain
operation, and make sure all the components are working correctly. Figure 1. shows an aircraft
equipped with a LiDAR unit conducting a survey of an area.



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Technical Description: Light Detection and Ranging, (LiDAR)

LiDAR is the best way to
gain spatial information
about any given area on the
Earths surface. Light
Detection and Ranging
equipment are mounted to
the bottom of aircraft, such
as helicopters and airplanes
in order to make sweeps
over portions of land. By
projecting a laser down to
the surface, and then using a
scanner to read the
information captured by the
laser, analysts can produce
maps based on the
information retrieved by the LiDAR unit. A GPS receiver works in conjunction with the laser
and the scanner, providing geographic location information associated with the data gathered by
the laser. This is important so analysts of the data know exactly where the data was collected.

Range. LiDAR systems are so technologically advanced, that large areas of land can be
surveyed at one time, or in one flight, making the amount of data collected enormous. With a
large fleet of LiDAR equipped aircraft, immense portions of the country, and even the world can
be surveyed in a small amount of time.

Data Collection. The data collected by the laser and scanner unit of a LiDAR system is stored
on hard drives. Analysts access this information and with careful input into a mapping program,
they produce a picture, or tell a story with the data collected. The result of this picture or story is
a map. The data can be anything from peak elevations to depth elevations of the deepest part of
the oceans. There can also be socio economic data incorporated, such as census block
information or bus route information for example. No matter what type of data is gathered by a
LiDAR system, the way it is analyzed and projected will determine the type of map that is
created.