Deconvolution of multi-peak ICESat/GLAS waveforms
Abstract
Although primarily designed for cryosphere studies, data from ICESat/GLAS currently provide the only source of global vegetation height mapping. The objective of this research is to examine the methodological techniques and accuracy of lidar waveform analysis for 3d vertical structure using ICESat/GLAS. This research will investigate the ranging techniques and methods (deconvolution and decomposition) for discriminating various features or reflecting surfaces within each returned waveform. The returned waveform energy detected by the digitizer is a function of the scattering elements within the energy path and the impulse response of the system. By knowing the impulse response of the system, this signal can be removed from the return waveform to improve separability between targets along the laser path. Heights derived from the deconvolution methodology will be assessed against heights derived from Gaussian decomposition of the returned waveform. Here, the assumption that the return waveform is a modeled composite of Gaussian distributions from multiple scatters falling along the laser path. This is currently the technique (up to 6 Gaussians) that is implemented on ICESat/GLAS processing. The White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Space Harbor area in New Mexico is used as a precision calibration and validation site for ICESat, with experiments operated and maintained by the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research (UTCSR). The returned waveforms from an array of corner-cube reflectors placed on poles of known heights located at the WSMR will be used to evaluate the deconvolution and decomposition results.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AGUFM.B43C1446N
- Keywords:
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- 0439 Ecosystems;
- structure and dynamics (4815);
- 0480 Remote sensing;
- 0498 General or miscellaneous