CORE GEOGG141: Principles and Practice of Remote Sensing
(15 credits)
Term 1 2013
Staff:
Mat Disney (MD) (convenor, UCL Geography), Dietmar Backes (DB), Jon Iliffe (JI), Paul Groves (PG),
Jan Boehm (JB), Stuart Robson (SR) (all CEGE).
Dr. M. Disney, room 113 Pearson Building, tel. 7679 0592 (x30592)
mathias.disney@ucl.ac.uk
Course web page
http://www2.geog.ucl.ac.uk/~mdisney/teaching/GEOGG141/GEOGG141.html
Aims:
 To provide knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, principles and applications of
remote sensing, particularly the geometric and radiometric principles;
 To provide examples of applications of principles to a variety of topics in remote sensing,
particularly related to data collection, radiation, resolution, sampling, mission choices.
 To provide some background to contemporary issues in Earth Science to which remote
sensing systems are fundamental, including awareness of organizations and policy. May
include occasional seminars.
 To introduce the principles of the radiative transfer problem in heterogeneous media, as an
example application of fundamental principles.
Content:
The module will provide an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of remote sensing. It will
include 3 components: i) geometric principles of remote sensing: geodetic principles and datums,
reference systems, mapping projections distortions and transformations; data acquisition methods; ii)
radiometric principles remote sensing: electromagnetic radiation; basic laws of electromagnetic
radiation; absorption, reflection and emission; atmospheric effects; radiation interactions with the
surface, fundamentals of radiative transfer in heterogeneous media (vegetation); orbits; spatial,
spectral, temporal, angular and radiometric resolution; data pre-processing; scanners; iii) timeresolved remote sensing including: RADAR principles; the RADAR equation; RADAR resolution;
phase information and SAR interferometry; LIDAR remote sensing, the LIDAR equation and
applications.
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Introduction to geodetic principles and datums (JI/DB)
Data acquisition and positioning (JI, PG)
3D mapping and imaging (JB, SR)
Introduction to remote sensing (MD)
Radiation principles, EM spectrum, blackbody (MD)
EM spectrum terms, definitions and concepts (MD)
Radiative transfer (MD)
Spatial, spectral resolution and sampling (MD)
Pre-processing chain, ground segment, radiometric resolution, scanners (MD)
LIDAR remote sensing: Introduction and principles (MD)
RADAR remote sensing I: principles (MD)
RADAR remote sensing II: interferometric SAR (MD)
Assessment:
3 hour unseen examination, which takes place at the start of Term 2.
Format:
The course is based upon lectures, with occasional seminars provided by outside speakers from
industry, government etc.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should:
 Have knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, principles and applications of
remote sensing.
 Be able to derive solutions to given quantitative problems particularly related to geometric
principles, EM radiation, LIDAR and RADAR systems
 Have an understanding of the trade-offs in sensor design, orbit, resolution etc. required for a
range of applications
 Have an understanding of the propagation of radiation transfer in vegetation, and be able to
explain the problem, and propose mathematical solutions
Class schedule:
This module runs in Term 1 2013, with sessions on Monday 11-1 and (if specified), 14-16/17:00
Sessions. NOTE: 09:00 start on 14/10 and afternoon sessions weeks 6-8 are 14-17:00.
UCL
week
6
Date
Day/Time
30/09
Mon 11-13
6
30/09
7
Duration
Class
Room
Lecturer
2 hrs
Introduction to mapping methods
DB
Mon 14-17
2 hrs
Mapping foundations I
07/10
Mon 11-13
2 hrs
Mapping foundations II
7
07/10
Mon 14-17
2 hrs
Data Acquisition 1: GNSS
8
14/10
Mon 09-11
2 hrs
Mapping foundations: III
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
16
16
14/10
21/10
28/10
04/11
04/11
11/11
18/11
25/11
02/12
09/12
09/12
Mon 14-17
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 14-16
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 11-13
Mon 14-16
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
Data Acquisition 2: 3D mapping
Introduction, Radiation I
Radiation II
Radiative transfer I
Radiative transfer II
Spatial, spectral resolution/sampling
Angular and temporal resolution/sampling
Pre-processing, ground segment, scanning
LIDAR remote sensing
RADAR remote sensing 1
RADAR remote sensing 2
Wilkins Old
Refectory
Chandler
B01
Wilkins Old
Refectory
Wilkins Old
Refectory
Chandler
G10
Roberts 309
PBG07
PBG07
PBG07
PBG07
PBG07
PB110
PB110
PBG07
PBG07
PBG07
Key contacts:
MD = Mat Disney (mathias.disney@ucl.ac.uk), DB = Dietmar Backes (dietmar@cege.ucl.ac.uk); JI =
Jon Iliffe (jiliffe@cege.ucl.ac.uk ); PG = Paul Groves (p.groves@ucl.ac.uk); Jan Boehm
(j.boehm@ucl.ac.uk); SR = Stuart Robson (s.robson@ucl.ac.uk).
JI
JI
PG
SR
SR
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
MD
Examinations
The examination will be a combination of essay-type and problem-solving questions. Candidates will
answer three questions from a choice of seven in three hours. The PPRS MSc module (CEGE046)
has run with different module codes in the past, so the past papers are: GEOGG141 (2011);
CEGE046 (2008-2010); GEOMG017 (2007-8), GEOGRSC1 (2005-6), GEOGGR01 (2007
referred/deferred paper). Past exam papers are kept in the library (http://exampapers.ucl.ac.uk/SocHist/Geog/). Note some past papers with model answers are given on the course
web pages.
NOTE: The course was modified in 2011 to contain the radiative transfer elements of the Vegetation
Science option module from previous years (CEGEG065). Exam papers are available for this module
in the library also. The course also changed significantly in 2005 and 2007 so you should ignore Q4 on
the 2006 GEOGRSC1 paper, Q1 on the 2005 GEOGRSC1 paper, and Q3 on the 2007 GEOGGR01
paper.
Course material
All teaching notes are available from the course webpage and moodle.
Books
Mapping principles
Aronoff, S., et. al. (2005), Remote Sensing for GIS Managers. ESRI Press, Redlands.
Iliffe, J., Lott, R. (2008), Datums and Map Projections: for Remote Sensing, GIS and Surveying.
Whittles Publishing London.
Konecny, G., (2002). Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems. Taylor
and Francis, London.
Zhilin, L., Chen, J. & Baltsavias, E., (2008), Advances in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and
Spatial Information Sciences. CRC Press London,
Mikhail, E., Bethel, J., McGlone, J., (2001), Introduction to modern Photogrammetry. John Wiley &
Sons New York.
Remote Sensing principles
Campbell, J. B. (2007) Introduction to Remote Sensing (2nd Ed), London, Taylor and Francis, 4th edn.
(a good general textbook covering theory with a little bit on image interpretation).
Jensen, John R. (2006) Remote Sensing of the Environment: an Earth Resources Perspective, Hall
and Prentice, New Jersey, 2nd ed. (an excellent, slightly more advanced textbook covering theory and
applications but not image processing. A solid investment).
Jones, H. and Vaughan, R. (2010, paperback) Remote Sensing of Vegetation: Principles, Techniques,
and Applications, OUP, Oxford. (A graduate-level textbook covering theory and applications related to
vegetation – more specialized but a very good primer in the field).
Liang, S. (2004) Quantitative Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces, Wiley-Blackwell (an excellent,
advanced textbook covering radiation transfer, theory and algorithms. Expensive, so try the library).
Lillesand, T., Kiefer, R. and Chipman, J. (2004) Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. John Wiley
and Sons, NY, 5th ed.. (Good general textbook with image processing as well).
Monteith, J. L and Unsworth, M. H. (1990) Principles of Environmental Physics, Edward Arnold:
Routledge, Chapman and Hall, NY, 2nd ed. (an excellent book covering basic physics – lots of useful
parts here on radiation, surface energy budgets, modelling etc. – a real gem).
Purkis, S. J. and Klemas, V. V. (2011) Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change, WileyBlackwell (a good account of various remote sensing applications, strong on ocean and coral reefs).
Rees, W. G. (2001, 2nd ed.). Physical Principles of Remote Sensing, Cambridge Univ. Press. (Good
general textbook).
Warner, T. A., Nellis, M. D. and Foody, G. M. eds. (2009) The SAGE Handbook of Remote Sensing
(Hardcover). Limited depth, but very wide-ranging – excellent reference book.
Web resources
Tutorials
http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Front/tofc.html
http://mercator.upc.es/nicktutorial/TofC/table.html
http://earth.esa.int/applications/data_util/SARDOCS/spaceborne/Radar_Courses/
http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/learn/tutorials/fundam/fundam_e.html
Other resources
NASA www.nasa.gov
European Space Agency www.esa.int
NOAA www.noaa.gov
Remote sensing and Photogrammetry Society UK www.rspsoc.org
Journals
Remote Sensing of the Environment (via Science Direct from within UCL):
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=JournalURL&_cdi=5824&_auth=y&_acct=C000010182&_
version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=125795&md5=5a4f9b8f79baba2ae1896ddabe172179
International Journal of Remote Sensing: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/01431161.asp
IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?puNumber=36
Detailed outline of Remote Sensing component
MU = Monteith and Unsworth (1990)
JJ = Jensen, J. (2006)
LK = Lillesand & Kiefer (2004)
Introduction to remote sensing principles & Radiation I
Housekeeping
What is remote sensing and why do we do it?
 Definitions of remote sensing
 Examples and applications
 Introduction to process
 Collection of signal
 Interpretation into information
 Experience of students?
Introduction to some terms and concepts
 EM Radiation
 Solar properties
 Interaction with atmosphere
 Interaction with surface
 Resolution
 Spatial
 Spectral
 Temporal
 Angular
 Radiometric
The remote sensing process
 Instrument design
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Mission
Information collection and processing
Introduction to EM spectrum
 Conduction, convection, radiation (JJ29)
Wave model of EM radiation
 Properties of EM wave (JJ30)
 Concepts of wave velocity, wavelength, period etc. (JJ31)
Solar radiation
 Concept of blackbody (MU25)
 Kirchoff's Law (JJ250)
 Radiant energy of sun/Earth (thermal emission)
 Stefan-Boltzmann law (MU25/JJ247)
 Wien's displacement law (MU25)
 Planck's law (MU26)
 Solar constant (MU36)
 Implications of en. distribution for EO
 Calculation of energy between given wavelengths
 Implications for evolution of the eye, chlorophyll pigments etc. etc.
Radiation principles II
Particle model of EM radiation
 Photon energy (JJ35)
 Photoelectric effect (JJ36)
 Quantum energy and unit (MU27/JJ37)
 Atomic energy levels (JJ38)
Radiation geometry and interactions
 Radiant flux, and radiant flux density (MU28)
 Radiance/Irradiance, Exitance, Emittance (MU28/MU31)
 Flux from a point source and from a plane source (MU29/MU30)
 Cosine law for emission & absorption, Lambert's Cosine Law (MU29/MU30)
Interaction with the atmosphere
 Refraction (index of etc.), Snell's Law (JJ39)
 Scattering
 Rayleigh, Mie, Non-selective (JJ41)
 Absorption (JJ42/MU39) and atmospheric windows
 Absorption (and scattering at the surface)
 Examples of vegetation, soil, snow spectra
 Spectral features and information
 Sun/Earth geometry, direct and diffuse radiation (MU40-42)
Interaction of radiation with the surface
 Reflectance, specular, diffuse etc.
 BRDF
 Hemispherical reflectance, transmittance, absorptance
 Albedo

Surface spectra
 Spectral features and information
Data acquisition and sensor design considerations (lectures 4-7)
Resolution: concepts (JJ12-17)
 Spatial
 Spectral
 Temporal
 Angular
 Radiometric
 Time-resolved signals
 RADAR, LiDAR (sonar)
Spatial:
 High v Med/Moderate v Low
 E.g. IKONOS, MODIS/AVHRR, MSG
 IFOV and pixel size
 GRE/GRD/GSD (LK 334)
 Point spread function
 What's in a pixel? (Cracknell, A. P., IJRS, 1998, 19(11), 2025-2047).
 Mixed pixel, continuous v. Discrete, generalisation
Spectral
 Wavelength considerations
 Optical
 Photography, scanning sensors, LiDAR et.
 Microwave (active/passive)
 RADAR
 Thermal
 Atmospheric sounders
Temporal/Angular
 Orbits
 Kepler's Laws
 Orbital period, altitude
 Polar, equatorial and Geostationary (LK 397-9; JJ187-9 and 201)
 Advantages/disadvantages of various orbits
 Coverage of surface
 Solar crossing time/elevation
 Broad swath instruments
 AVHRR/POLDER/MODIS etc.
 v Narrow swath
 Landsat ETM+, IKONOS, MISR etc.
Radiometric
 Precision v accuracy
 Digital v analogue
 Signal to noise
Processing stages
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Transmission
Storage and dissemination
Ground segment
Overview of pre-processing stages
 Geometric, radiometric, atmospheric correction
Multi/hyperspectral scanners
 Heritage
 Landsat, AVHRR (NOAA), EOS/NPOESS (NASA), ESA (Envisat, Explors etc.)
 Discrete detectors and scanning mirrors (JJ183)
 Pushbroom/whiskbroom linear arrays (JJ184)
 Across track scanning (LK 331, 337)
 Digital frame camera area arrays
 Detector types (CCD, LK 336)
 Hyperspectral area arrays
 Examples of the different systems
LiDAR
 Vegetation
 First/last pass (discrete return), waveform
 Principles of lidar measurement
 Information content
Radiative transfer
Radiative approach
 RT theory at optical wavelengthgs
 Wave propagation, polarisation
 Tools for developing RT
 Canopy scattering models
 Scalar RT equation
 Extinction coefficient, Beer’s Law
 Simplifications for vegetation canopies
 Recollision probability theory
RADAR principles
RADAR: Definitions
 SLAR, SAR, IfSAR
 Principles
 Ranging and imaging
 Geometry
 Wavelengths
 SAR principles
 Resolution
 Azimuth, range
 ERS1 & 2 examples
Radiometric effects
 Speckle

RADAR equation
Geometric effects
 Shadow
 Foreshortening
 Layover
Surface interactions
 Moisture
 Types of interaction
The RADAR equation
 Measurable quantities
 Calibration
Interferometric SAR (InSAR)
 Principles
 Phase information
 Coherence
 Phase unwrapping
 Interferograms, fringes, DEMs
 Sources
 Problems
 Geomtetry
 Decoherence
 Accuracy
 Differential InSAR