Landing zone determination using video rate point cloud data

Christopher Rodgers; Javier Méndez

doi:10.1117/12.919092

14 May 2012 Landing zone determination using video rate point cloud data

Christopher Rodgers, Javier Méndez

Proceedings Volume 8379, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVII; 83790A (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.919092
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

LADAR technology is used in remote sensing to monitor many parameters like particles and gases suspended in the atmosphere, measure velocity, 3-D mapping, etc. Its application for 3-D mapping is of great interest in the geospatial community. A LADAR system is capable of scanning the surface of an object by forming thousands or millions of points in the 3-D space. New advances in LADAR technology have been pushing towards 4-D data (x, y, z, and time). These systems are capable of operating in the same way as a video camera up to 30 frames per second. Sampling a scene in the 4-D domain is very attractive for military and civilian applications. This work presents an algorithm capable of using the 4-D measurements recorded by a LADAR system to generate a 3-D video. The algorithm provides a feature extraction tool that is used to identify and rank safe landing zones within the 3-D video point cloud dataset. We use parameters such as terrain irregularities, terrain slope or gradients, and distances from vertical obstructions to identify and rank safe landing zones. Other additional mission specific requirements can be included to further filter and rank safe landing zones.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher Rodgers and Javier Méndez "Landing zone determination using video rate point cloud data", Proc. SPIE 8379, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVII, 83790A (14 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.919092

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