LiDAR is a technology that uses a laser scanner mounted in an aircraft to actively scan the terrain below. By using GPS and IMU to geo-reference the aircraft trajectory, the laser ranges are converted into a 3D point cloud that can be referenced to any ground coordinate system.

Every point contains important attribute information that is useful for deriving a bare-earth terrain model. Laser pulses diverge as they leave the scanner and may have a diameter of roughly one foot by the time they come in contact with the terrain. This means that part of the pulse may hit, for example, vegetation, while the remainder of the pulse continues on its path and hits the ground. This information is recorded by the LiDAR sensor, so each outgoing pulse may have multiple returns, or echoes associated with it. Also recorded with each return is the intensity of the incoming pulse, which varies according to what the pulse comes in contact with.

Mira Solutions has developed specialized processes for post production of LiDAR data. Mira Solutions’ approach to LiDAR production sets itself apart from the rest of the industry by emphasizing the use of photogrammetric methods for interpreting and classifying the point data so that the client receives the maximum utility of the LiDAR data.