Using Mobile GIS to Populate a Spectral Database

Kenneth SmithDigital Imaging and Remote Sensing LaboratoryChester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science

Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, New York

Background on DIRS• Use field spectral measurements to calibrate overhead sensors.

• Collect spectral information for scene generation in DIRSIG.

• Make both field and lab measurements to populate an online spectral database.

MegaScene DIRSIG simulation of Van Lare Water Treatment Plant

Flight Coverage

WASP Sensor

Field InstrumentsD & P: Field Infrared SpectrometerASD: Spectroradiometer

Wavelength (microns)

Re

flect

an

ce

Visible region of the EM Spectrum

Sample: USFSForest Firefighter’s green pants

2.50.35 Wavelength range: 2.0-16 (microns)

0.0000

2.0000

4.0000

6.0000

8.0000

10.0000

12.0000

14.0000

16.0000

100 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500

Ra

dia

nce

(W

/m^2

/sr/

mic

ron

)

Using ArcPad as a Solution

•Metadata recorded on paper wasn’t always filled out.

•Entering data into Excel was a long and tedious task.

•Needed a way to record data consistently and accurately.

•Had to upload data easily to the spectral database.

Types of Metadata to be Recorded

Subject Information

•Description of the measurement subject

•Location

•Subject taxonomy

ASD Specific Information

•ASD settings

•Weather conditions

•Images of measurement

•Post-processing information

D & P Specific Information

•D & P settings

•Weather conditions

•Images of measurement

•Post-processing information

The Need for Customizing ArcPad

• For each measurement, there are at least 90 fields of data to be filled out.

• Drop-down menus and check-boxes had to be included to make data recording simpler.

• Include error checking.

• Automate certain fields.

Example: Temperature conversions, Setting the

current time.

Using a Layer vs. an Applet

• Layer files are a customization of a specific shapefile. They require less programming.

•Applet files are a customization of ArcPad itself. They are not bounded to a shapefile, appear when ArcPad starts up, and require more programming to make them functional.

•Applet files allow you to create multiple shapefiles with the same attribute fields.

Multiple Data Tables

Subject Metadata

ID Subject

1

2

3

4

5

grass

pavement

rocks

maple leaf

car door

ASD Metadata

ID Filename

1

2

grass1

pavement3

D & P Metadata

ID

2

4

5

Filename

200406241132

200406241145

200406241205

Custom Tool Buttons

Instrument Forms

Take a GPS Waypoint

Edit MetadataDigitize a Point

Subject Form30 fields on 5 pages

Subject Taxonomy

• All subjects are classified with a built-in taxonomy used by the spectral database.

• Over 1100 combinations to choose from.

• Catalog ID number is generated which the spectral database uses to sort records.

• New “write-in” values generates a flag which alerts the database manager that a new category has been created and the taxonomy table should be updated.

Instrument FormsLets you repeat information from the previous measurement.

Automatically

Calculated

GPS Time60+ fields on 13 pages

Multiple Measurements of One Subject

• MegaCollect Example

Edit Metadata Form

Linking Metadata ID Number

Subject delete button removes corresponding measurement records as well.

Expandability for Future Instruments

• Because subject and measurement metadata is saved on separate DBF tables, new instruments can be easily added.

• SOC400T in progress.

• SOC100 and CARY 500 to be added soon.

Tricks to Working with ArcPad Application Builder and Coding with VBScript

• Saving data to DBF tables

• Repopulating values when you switch pages on a form

• Using previous values

• Using temporary tables and templates

• Make use of the ArcPad User Forum!

Short Comings of ArcPad Application Builder

• Applet files do not let you save data to shapefiles or data tables easily.

• Built in default values and error checking for minimum and maximum values is not present.

• Soft input panel keyboard always pops up at the wrong time, limiting the available space for controls.

Acknowledgements

Nina Raqueno

Mehak Sujan

Lon Smith

Jason Faulring

From the ArcPad User Forum:

Tony Zoccolillo

Mark Hoyland

Jeff LeProwse

Questions?