LiDAR simulation in modelled orchards to optimise the use of terrestrial laser scanners and derived vegetative measures

Méndez, Valeriano; Catalán, Heliodoro; Rosell Polo, Joan Ramon; Arnó Satorra, Jaume; Sanz Cortiella, Ricardo

doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.02.003

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Issue date

2013

Author

Méndez, Valeriano

Catalán, Heliodoro

Rosell Polo, Joan Ramon

Arnó Satorra, Jaume

Sanz Cortiella, Ricardo

Suggested citation

Méndez, Valeriano; Catalán, Heliodoro; Rosell Polo, Joan Ramon; Arnó Satorra, Jaume; Sanz Cortiella, Ricardo; . (2013) . LiDAR simulation in modelled orchards to optimise the use of terrestrial laser scanners and derived vegetative measures. Biosystems Engineering, 2013, vol. 115, núm. 1, p. 7–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.02.003.

Abstract

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology is beginning to have an impact on agriculture. Canopy volume and/or fruit tree leaf area can be estimated using terrestrial laser sensors based on this technology. However, the use of these devices may have different options depending on the resolution

and scanning mode. As a consequence, data accuracy and LiDAR derived parameters are affected by sensor configuration, and may vary according to vegetative characteristics of tree crops. Given this scenario, users and suppliers of these devices need to know how to use the sensor in each case. This paper presents a computer program to determine the best configuration, allowing simulation and evaluation of different LiDAR configurations in various tree structures (or training systems). The ultimate goal is to optimise the use of laser scanners in field operations. The software presented generates a virtual orchard, and then allows the scanning simulation with a laser sensor. Trees are created using a hidden Markov tree (HMT) model. Varying the foliar structure of the orchard the LiDAR simulation was applied to twenty different artificially created orchards with or without leaves from two positions (lateral and zenith). To validate the laser sensor configuration, leaf surface of simulated trees was compared with the parameters obtained by LiDAR measurements: the impacted leaf area, the impacted total area (leaves and wood), and the impacted area in the three outer layers of leaves.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/58067

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.02.003

Is part of

Biosystems Engineering, 2013, vol. 115, núm. 1, p. 7–19