LiDAR

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors use light energy, emitted from a laser, to scan the ground and measure variable distances. The end result is a rich set of elevation data that can be used to produce high-resolution maps and 3D models of natural and man-made objects.

Multi-spectral

A standard visual sensor collects red, green and blue wavelengths of light. Multispectral sensors are able to collect these visible wavelengths as well as wavelengths that fall outside the visible spectrum. 

Thermal

Thermal sensors measure the relative surface temperature of objects. When long wave infrared radiation emitted from objects strikes the thermal sensor, it heats up the microbolometer and this changes the electrical resistance. These changes are converted to electrical signals and stored as raw data or processed into thermal imagery. These cameras form an image using infrared radiation and differentiate apparent temperature variations using different color palettes.

Hyper-spectral

Hyperspectral sensors collect data as a series of narrow and contiguous wavelength bands providing a high level of performance in spectral and radiometric accuracy.

One can use this detailed spectral information to identify subtle differences in vegetation, minerals and other materials.