PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
March 2017
175
BOOK
REVIEW
Getting Started with UAV Imaging
Systems: A Radiometric Guide
Barbara G. Grant
SPIE. 20 July 2016, Volume: PM270, 162 pp. Paperback. $59. ISBN
9781510601833.
Reviewed by:
Melissa J. Rura Ph.D. Contributing
Editor,
Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote
Sensing
(
PE&RS
).
This short but to the point book of 144 pages gives the reader
exactly what the title suggests, a start and an overview of the
details of collecting radiometric correctable data using imaging
systems onboard UAV platforms. The author keeps her focus
on the technical principles involved with UAV imagers rather
than the applications of collected images or the details of who,
when, or how the payloads / imagers are flown. This book
consists of 8 chapters, 4 appendices, an index and a list of
acronyms and abbreviations. There are a variety of figures and
pictures throughout the text, which demonstrate the concepts
involved in understanding the discussion in the text.
The author begins with an introduction of UAV imaging
giving a brief history and offering background information
about the development of the field from a military perspective,
and continues to define terminology that is useful throughout
the text. By not limiting definitions and the explanation of
terms to the first chapter she does a good job building concepts
and is explicit in defining terms as they are used in the book.
Moving from foundational concepts and terms in a logical
progression is a strength of any text titled “Getting Started.”
Chapter 2 discusses emission and reflection characteristics
of targets. Explanations of foundational concepts are presented
in a straightforward and matter of fact way.
Chapter 3 introduces the concepts of radiometric propagation
where we get a look into the importance of geometry and
intensity to the understanding of radiometric observations. The
novice might find this chapter a bit too full of equations but the
concepts behind those expressions are important and useful for
a foundational understanding of radiometric calibration.
Chapter 4 moves away from the electromagnetic spectrum to
the instrumentation by which it is observed and is a discussion
of image system basics. This is a discussion often missed or
misunderstood by users of remote sensing products and should
not be missed. The figures in this chapter would be essential to
a “Getting Started” audience.
Chapter 5 covers platforms and sensors in regard to their
influence on the imaging systems being used for collection.
Giving a specific example emphasizing how operating sensors
in different spectral regions may accomplish similar outcomes.
Chapter 7 which discusses image detectors would be better to
follow Chapter 5 as the natural next step in imaging systems.
This very important concept is far too often ignored in remote
sensing texts that focus on the end of the “image chain
1
” and is
a welcomed inclusion to this “Getting Started” text.
Chapter 6 covers the image system outputs and gives
a discussion of image quality measures. This reviewer
particularly appreciated the discussion of NIIRS and IIRS
image quality measures that all too often are left out of the
“numbers only please” image quality discussions. Chapter 8
is a very short conclusion that could have been more robust.
The 4 appendices include, firstly, SI Base units and derived
quantities, secondly, uncertainty values including 2014 CODATA
values, and thirdly, a short discussion of drone law at the time of
publication which has now changed in light of the FAA’s Part 107
rule. This reviewer appreciates both authors and publishers that
take the time to include indices and appendices for their readers.
Lastly, and importantly for ASPRS membership, is a call for
and suggestions about standards with UAV imaging and analyses.
This is presently on the agenda of the UAS Division of ASPRS and
in the forefront of the minds of many within our membership. The
publisher of this text, SPIE, and the members of its professional
society are logical partners and contributors in work that lay
ahead in establishing standards and guidelines in this area.
This text is a positive contribution to the “Getting Started”
literature in UAV imaging. The math and the concepts are
not simple but are presented and explained in a way that is
accessible to a broad audience. This reviewer finds it refreshing
and would recommend it to a broad audience.
1
Schott, John R., Remote Sensing: The Image Chain Approach, 2nd
Edition (2007) ; 1st Edition (1997), Oxford University Press, New York,
New York, United States.
Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing
Vol. 83, No. 3, March 2017, pp. 175.
0099-1112/17/175
© 2017 American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing
doi: 10.14358/PERS.83.3.175
