Book Image

Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python

By : Joel Lawhead
4 (1)
Book Image

Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python

4 (1)
By: Joel Lawhead

Overview of this book

Geospatial analysis is used in almost every field you can think of from medicine, to defense, to farming. It is an approach to use statistical analysis and other informational engineering to data which has a geographical or geospatial aspect. And this typically involves applications capable of geospatial display and processing to get a compiled and useful data. "Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python" uses the expressive and powerful Python programming language to guide you through geographic information systems, remote sensing, topography, and more. It explains how to use a framework in order to approach Geospatial analysis effectively, but on your own terms. "Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python" starts with a background of the field, a survey of the techniques and technology used, and then splits the field into its component speciality areas: GIS, remote sensing, elevation data, advanced modelling, and real-time data. This book will teach you everything there is to know, from using a particular software package or API to using generic algorithms that can be applied to Geospatial analysis. This book focuses on pure Python whenever possible to minimize compiling platform-dependent binaries, so that you don't become bogged down in just getting ready to do analysis. "Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python" will round out your technical library with handy recipes and a good understanding of a field that supplements many a modern day human endeavors.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
Learning Geospatial Analysis with Python
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Point cloud data


Point cloud data is any data collected as the (x,y,z) location of a surface point based on some sort of focused energy return. Point cloud data can be created using lasers, radar waves, acoustic soundings, or other waveform generation devices. The spacing between points is arbitrary and is dependent on the type and position of the sensor collecting the data. In this book we will primarily be concerned with LIDAR data and radar data. Radar point cloud data is typically collected on space missions while LIDAR is typically collected by terrestrial or airborne vehicles. But conceptually both types of data are similar.

LIDAR uses powerful laser range-finding systems to model the world with very high precision. The term LIDAR or LiDAR is a combination of the words light and radar. Some people claim it also stands for Light Detection and Ranging. LIDAR sensors can be mounted on aerial platforms including satellites, airplanes, or helicopters. They can also be mounted on vehicles...