Comparison of lidar's characteristics at different flying height

Abstract

As the cost of LiDAR equipment is high and different projects prefer different goals, the flying scheme needs to be strict planned to save cost and energy. In this study, LiDAR's ability at different flying height was tested. Two trials with different flying height are compared. Analysis was conducted by considering the relative accuracy, intensity and penetration ability to find out the difference of two trials. The result shows the relative accuracy between these two trials is 0.37 m. True relative accuracy is achieved when removing canopy as large interpolation errors often exist at places with great slope changes like the canopy. Intensity values decrease greatly with the increase of flying height due to the longer travel distance and more energy loss in atmosphere. Statistical results showed that in each trial high intensity is apt to be from low canopy and only return. LiDAR vegetation penetration ability decreased greatly at low vegetation due to the enlarged footprint and weakened energy, but it doesn't change on large vegetation.