POINT CLOUD ACQUISITION TECHNIQUES BY USING SCANNING LIDAR FOR 3D MODELLING AND MOBILE MEASUREMENT

Abstract. Laser scanners collect three-dimensional spatial data of an imaging area in a very short time with high point density. The laser scanners can be classified by different aspects, such as multi beam, single beam, spinning, solid state, single or multi returns, short or long range, and field of view angle. The mapping industry usually looks for range, accuracy, point density, and measurement speed higher while cost, error, energy consumption and weight lower instruments. Particularly, developments in LiDAR photon imaging techniques have enabled laser scanning to be used in three-dimensional modelling, motion detection, autonomous vehicle and mobile measurement. The distance from the instrument to the scan point is measured by the pulse or phase-shift method in laser scanners. The scan beam is directed at a certain angle so that the imaging area can be measured in arrays of points. The orientation of the beam is provided as mechanically in some scanners, and by an opto-electronic mechanism in others. Moreover, some scanners use multiple 2D LiDAR planes for three-dimensional scanning. A mobile three-dimensional measurement can be performed by using multi-beam scanners integrated with the other related sensors. The high performance of the scanners is possible with knowing their measurement properties and technical specifications. In this study, LiDAR techniques, that perform scanning measurements by oriented beam, were investigated and their technical features were examined.