GISuser.com

GIS and Technology news for mapping professionals

  • PRESS
    • Submit PR
    • Top Press
    • Business
    • GIS, Geo Tech Software
    • Hardware
    • UAV News
    • Mobile Technology
    • Editor’s Top Picks
    • Get TOP Listing!
  • FEATURES
    • GeoGeeksinCars
    • 10 Question Q&A
    • FROM THE EDITOR
    • SPATIAL MEDIA AUTHORS
    • Social Media Features
    • EXPERTS & Guests
    • Listicles and Top 10 Lists
    • Infographics
    • VIDEOS
  • Events
    • Webinars
    • Submit event
    • Event Media Partner
  • CAREERS
    • Career Help Articles
    • People and Career News
    • Work from Home
    • About GeoJobs.BIZ
  • About
    • Advertise
      • Advertise wth GISuser
      • Media Kit Request Form
      • Directory
      • Submit Press
    • Contact GISuser
    • Meet the Editor
    • Social Media
      • AnyGeo Blog
      • GeoGeeks Podcast
      • Social Media Features
      • Like Us
    • SpatialMedia
      • LBSzone
      • LiDAR Magazine
      • Amerisurv
      • SymbianOne
    • RSS feed
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Cloud Hosting
    • Amazon Cloud Hosting
    • WordPress cloud hosting
    • Dedicated servers USA
  • Tradepubs
You are here: Home / * PRESS / Business / USGS evaluates Sigma Space’s Single Photon LiDAR as a key technology for its 3D Digital Elevation Program

USGS evaluates Sigma Space’s Single Photon LiDAR as a key technology for its 3D Digital Elevation Program

August 26, 2015 By GISuser

Sigma Space technology may enable first high-resolution 3D map of the United States and the Planet

Sigma Space technology may enable first high-resolution 3D map of the United States and the Planet

Through a recent contract awarded to two evaluating companies, the United States Geological Survey has requested from Sigma Space the collection and processing of Single Photon LiDAR (SPL) in a test area in upper Connecticut.   SPL is a disruptive LiDAR technology created by Sigma Space, which enables collection of elevation data at much higher speeds and resolution than conventional LiDAR systems.   While SPL is now a well-developed technology in use by the US DoD and in commercial data acquisitions, this is the first attempt by USGS to validate the technology as an enabler for its 3DEP program.   The 3DEP program by USGS aims to create a comprehensive 3D map of the US.

“The key concept behind the high efficiency of SPL is the ability to use single photons, elementary light particles, to make a range measurement,” explains Dr. Marcos Sirota, CEO of Sigma Space.  “Conventional LiDARs use hundreds or thousands of photons per measurement.  That is why our system is so much faster. Furthermore, the detector physics and associated electronics enables our system to operate in full daylight, in comparison to other photon-sensitive technologies that can operate only at night,” he added.  Also, because SPL uses green laser light it has both topographic and bathymetric capabilities in a single LiDAR.

After receiving the request, and one coordination phone call with USGS and the evaluating companies, Sigma Space personnel were able to collect SPL data for the entire 500 square mile test area in one weekend, with densities in excess of 20 points per square meter.   In addition, they simultaneously collected RGB imagery for a large part of the test area at 4 cm resolution, using a MIST camera, courtesy of Visionmap.

SPL technology is also to be proven soon in space.  NASA’s ICESat II mission, to be launched in 2017, adopted SPL as the LiDAR technique for its Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter.  The primary objective of the mission is to measure polar ice sheet elevation change and sea ice thickness.  Sigma provided the timing and on-board processing electronics for the 64 channel, single photon LiDAR system.  Sigma also provided the optical assembly for the pointing determination system which tracks the laser and telescope pointing with respect to the star field, in the instrument.

Sigma Space Corporation produces next-generation LiDAR, laser ranging, attitude determination, spectroscopy, radiometry, and optical communication instrumentation for remote sensing and defense applications.  Sigma Space offers advanced science, engineering and geospatial data services to private and government clients, including NASA and DoD.  www.sigmaspace.com

 

Related Articles on GISuser:

  • USGS Announces 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 2016 AwardsUSGS Announces 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 2016 Awards
  • First Round of Lidar BAA Awards ReleasedFirst Round of Lidar BAA Awards Released
  • Woolpert Selected by USGS to Evaluate New Lidar Technologies for 3DEPWoolpert Selected by USGS to Evaluate New Lidar Technologies for 3DEP
  • Update on USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiativeUpdate on USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative
  • Woolpert Performs Largest Commercial Single Photon Lidar Acquisition in North America for USGSWoolpert Performs Largest Commercial Single Photon Lidar Acquisition in North America for USGS
  • Wider Selection of US Topo Maps From USGS Now Available in Avenza’s PDF Maps AppWider Selection of US Topo Maps From USGS Now Available in Avenza’s PDF Maps App

Filed Under: Business, DATA, LiDAR, Top Press Tagged With: LiDAR, USA map, USGS






Editor’s Picks

Learn to Make Decisions Using Lidar Data and Geographic Information Systems

Learn to Make Decisions Using Lidar Data and Geographic Information Systems

Esri Indonesia Story Map Explores Missing AirAsia Flight 8501

Salary Guide, Tips for Fastest Growing Industries & Top Technology Positions in Demand

DigitalGlobe Satellite Captures Dramatic Images of Alberta, Canada Oil Sands wildfire #fmmfire

See More Editor's Picks...

Connect with GISuser

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter


GIS jobs

Recent Features

Digitalization and Simulation at the North Pole

Natural Gas District & GIS-Centric Asset Management

5 Ways Technology Is Affecting The Sharing Economy

Spotlight – Township Canada: Explore Canadian Legal Land Descriptions on a Map

GeoGeeksinCars – The one in “Tippy” the right-hand drive Mitsubishi, at DevSummit

More Posts from this Category

Categories




Recent Posts

  • Webinar Tip – Getting Started with D3.js for Data Visualization
  • How to become a Scrum Master? Brief guide with the consistent steps
  • Locate21 approved for Austrade Business Events Grants program @locateconf
  • LiveEO Performs Satellite-Based Vegetation Risk Analysis of Entire U.S. Electric Transmission Grid
  • TCarta Leverages AI Technology and ICESat-2 Data to Create Global Satellite Derived Bathymetry Product

RSS Career Tips

  • Four Characteristics of the Best Virtual Employees
  • Jobcase Launches Free Unemployment Resource Center for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
  • 8 Questions Employers Should Ask About Coronavirus
  • Must-Have Gadgets and Technology for the Remote Office Worker
  • Must-Have Gadgets and Technology for the Remote Office Worker


shop for geogeek swag

RSS Tech pubs

  • Buyer's Guide to Voluntary Benefits -- A Simple Guide for HR Professionals
  • Leaning into Benefits Enrollment in the COVID Era
  • Sitecore Personalization Quick Start

RSS Computers

  • The Essentials of Information Security Kit: Includes a Free PC Security Handbook - 2nd Edition eBook
  • iPad CTO Kit - including the iPad Tips and Tricks Guide for IT Executives and Managers
  • Windows... On Speed

RSS HR Tips

  • Buyer's Guide to Voluntary Benefits -- A Simple Guide for HR Professionals
  • 2021 Regulatory & Legislative Update Handbook
  • Regulatory & Legislative Update: What Employers Need to Know in 2021

RSS Gov Tech

  • 11 Habits of Successful Law Firms - Updated for the Digital Age
  • How Legal Teams Renew Their Focus on Cost Savings
  • Whitepaper | What 300 L&D Leaders Have Learned About Building Data Fluency

RSS UAV news

  • Cobra AntiDrones is developing the concept of a interceptor drone, killer of a loitering munition and strike UAVs similar to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2
  • Webinar – Processing Large Drone Projects Webinar
  • NOAA Awards Black Swift Technologies Contract to Develop GPS-Denied Navigation

RSS Geojobs

  • An error has occurred, which probably means the feed is down. Try again later.
Copyright Spatial Media LLC 2003 - 2015