Gaussian Decomposition of LiDAR Waveform Data Simulated by Dart

Abstract

Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) techniques have been extensively applied in spaceborne, airborne and ground-based platforms. Understanding LiDAR data requires modeling approaches that can precisely account for the physical interactions between the emitted laser pulse and reflecting targets. Diverse LiDAR data types arise from different systems, platforms, and applications. However, most existing physical models consider only single pulse configurations to simulate large footprint LiDAR waveforms, which do not correspond to standard data formats. Hence, in many cases, model outputs are not well adapted to research conducted with actual LiDAR systems, especially for Aerial and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (ALS and TLS) systems. The Discrete Anisotropic Radiation Transfer (DART) model provides accurate and efficient simulations of multiple LiDAR pulses from all platform types. This paper presents the latest development of the DART LiDAR module: Gaussian decomposition of the simulated ALS and TLS waveforms followed by the provision of LiDAR point cloud and waveforms in text and standard ASPRS LAS formats.