REAL-TIME CREATION AND DISSEMINATION OF DIGITAL ELEVATION MAPPING PRODUCTS USING TOTAL SIGHTTM FLASH LiDAR

The Ball Aerospace Total SightTM Flash LiDAR and real time processing system provides real-time digital elevation map creation and dissemination. This unique capability is critical for mapping applications where data latency cannot be tolerated. These applications include rapid response disaster relief efforts, improved battlefield characterization and more timely and accurate military targeting. The creation of real time digital elevation maps from LiDAR data is also beneficial in streamlining production mapping jobs such as corridor mapping. The Total SightTM system is the result of 5 years of development of sensor and processing technologies. The system has been flown on multiple airborne platforms for missions including landing hazard mapping and identification, urban and mountain terrain mapping and characterization, power line mapping, 3-dimensional target tracking and foliage penetration. The system is highly configurable to meet a variety of customer and mission requirements. The Ball Aerospace Total SightTM sensor, processing chain, and resulting imagery are discussed.