Topics Covered: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
LiDAR- Light Detection and Ranging
What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: What is it? How it works? Applications, potential.
Context: Archaeologists are using LiDAR data to continue their researches amid global pandemic.
In this method, they make high-resolution maps using laser light.
What is LiDAR?
It is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth.
These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
A lidar instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver.
Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas.
LiDAR follows a simple principle — throw laser light at an object on the earth surface and calculate the time it takes to return to the LiDAR source. Given the speed at which the light travels (approximately 186,000 miles per second), the process of measuring the exact distance through LiDAR appears to be incredibly fast.
Challenges with LiDAR:
- Can’t perform well in fog, rain, snow and dusty weather.
- Struggles to detect a glass wall or door, which is why smartphone manufacturers and self-driving cars makers use LiDAR along with secondary cameras and sensors.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is GPS?
- Location based navigation services of various countries including India.
- How LiDAR works?
- Applications of LiDAR.
- What is Laser?
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of LiDAR technology.
Sources: the Hindu.
