Comparison of Full-waveform, Single-Photon Sensitive, and Discrete Analog LiDAR Data

Full-waveform LiDAR data from an AHAB Chiroptera I system with 515 nm and 1032 nm lasers (similar to 10 pts/m(2)), single-photon sensitive data from the Sigma Space HRQLS system with a 532 nm laser (similar to 19 pts/m(2)), and discrete analog data from an Optech Orion C200 system (similar to 88 pts/m(2)) were collected from aerial platforms over Monterey, CA, USA in fall 2012 and fall 2013. The study area contains residential neighborhoods, forested regions, inland lakes, and the Pacific Ocean near-shore environment. Significant ground truth in the form of GPS measurements and terrestrial LiDAR scans enable the LiDAR data to be compared in terms of measurement precision and degree of tree canopy penetration, as well as comparisons of derived raster products.