Abstract

A 22-flight 13-month program of data collection over surveyed benchmark sites using the WRELADS laser airborne hydrographic system allows the generation of a simple empirical model for depth bias. The model is similar in form but different in magnitude to previous theoretical studies. Testing of over 100,000 soundings over the surveyed sites shows standard deviations after correction for bias ranging from 0.27 m for soundings at nadir to 0.33 m for soundings directed at 15° to the vertical. These tests show the simplified model to be sufficient to meet the required hydrographic standards of accuracy. The model does not include turbidity as an input.

© 1986 Optical Society of America

Airborne laser hydrography in Australia

M. F. Penny, R. H. Abbot, D. M. Phillips, B. Billard, D. Rees, D. W. Faulkner, D. G. Cartwright, B. Woodcock, G. J. Perry, P. J. Wilsen, T. R. Adams, and J. Richards
Appl. Opt. 25(13) 2046-2058 (1986)

Remote sensing of scattering coefficient for airborne laser hydrography

Brian Billard
Appl. Opt. 25(13) 2099-2108 (1986)

Estimation of a mean sea surface reference in the wrelads airborne depth sounder

Brian Billard
Appl. Opt. 25(13) 2067-2073 (1986)

Airborne estimation of sea turbidity parameters from the WRELADS laser airborne depth sounder

Brian Billard, Ralph H. Abbot, and Michael F. Penny
Appl. Opt. 25(13) 2080-2088 (1986)

Sea surface and depth detection in the WRELADS airborne depth sounder

Brian Billard and Peter J. Wilsen
Appl. Opt. 25(13) 2059-2066 (1986)