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Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) From Space - Laser AltimetersLight detection and ranging, or lidar, is like radar but atoptical wavelengths. The principle of operation and theirapplications in remote sensing are similar. Lidars havemany advantages over radars in instrument designs andapplications because of the much shorter laser wavelengthsand narrower beams. The lidar transmitters and receiveroptics are much smaller than radar antenna dishes. Thespatial resolution of lidar measurement is much finer thanthat of radar because of the much smaller footprint size onground. Lidar measurements usually give a better temporalresolution because the laser pulses can be much narrowerthan radio frequency (RF) signals. The major limitation oflidar is the ability to penetrate clouds and ground surfaces.
Document ID
20170003769
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sun, Xiaoli
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
April 20, 2017
Publication Date
August 15, 2016
Publication Information
Publication: Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN41847
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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