Platforms

 Platforms. Platforms refer to the structures or vehicles on which remote sensing instruments are mounted. The platform on which a particular sensor is housed determines a number of attributes, which may dictate the use of particular sensors.

Platform is the the vehicle carrying the remote sensing device .

Types of platforms

1. Ground-borne platforms: Ground borne platforms are used to record detailed i informationabout the surface which is compared with information collected from aircraft or satellite sensors i.e. for ground observation. Ground observation includes both the laboratory and field study, used for both in designing sensors and identification and characterization of land features Ground observation platforms include – handheld platform, cherry picker,towers, portable masts and vehicles etc. Portable handheld photographic cameras and spectroradiometers are largely used in laboratory and field experiments as a reference data and ground truth verification.

2) Air-borne platforms: Airborne platforms are used to collect very detailed images and facilitate the collection of data over virtually any portion of the Earth's surface at any time. Airborne platforms were the sole non-ground-based platforms for early remote sensing work.

3) Space-borne platforms: In space-borne remote sensing, sensors are mounted on-board a spacecraft (space shuttle or satellite) orbiting the earth. Space-borne or satellite platform are onetime cost effected but relatively lower cost per unit area of coverage, can acquire imagery of entire earth without taking permission. Space borne imaging ranges from altitude 250 km to 36000 km. Spaceborne remote sensing provides the following advantages:  Large area coverage;  Frequent and repetitive coverage of an area of interest;  Quantitative measurement of ground features using radiometrically calibrated sensors;  Semi-automated computerized processing and analysis;  Relatively lower cost per unit area of coverage