Interpretation of Drones - Research Paper Example

ABSTRACT. Drones. Drones also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles are aircrafts which can either be programmed or controlled from the earth’s service. They differ largely depending on the function that they are designed for and are considered better than unmanned aircraft because they can be used for longer hours. Drones were initially used to train military personnel. They provide a lot of assistance in searching for lost people. This review entails drones in our daily activities. For instance, they assist the common man to study and monitor earth activities such as earthquakes and natural hazards such as volcanic activities. The scientific researcher here will be keen to know in details his project, the content, how it will appear at the end of it all. For instance in this topic, a researcher should come up with the following parts: The introduction whereby the researcher defines and elaborates further on drones and their use, talks on data collection methods, data analysis, results and discussion, conclusion and work citations. INTRODUCTION. a) Interpretation of drones. Drones assist scientific researchers in the topic of remote sensing because the do not involve human pilot. They are able to observe the earth from a certain height by the use of powerful satellites and without making any contact with it. They also encompass chemical sensors that are used to analyze the intensity of elements in the air, biological sensors are useful in detecting any microorganisms in the air and ultraviolet spectrum sensors may also be of great use. USGS in scientific research is the initials for United States Geological Survey. Scientist who use the United States Geological Survey have the capability of capturing the landscape and learning more about its natural resources and anything else that harms it. USGS focuses on land, its use and change, ecosystems, minerals, energy, natural hazards and environmental health. Drones can be used in scientific research both during the day and night. An object can be observed, measured and identified without direct contact with the satellite. Some of the remote sensing data include multispectral data, satellite imagery, space sensing and digital elevation data. In this process of observing the earth, one needs a device called a USGS earth explorer, (Lillesand, pg.87). In this case, the earth’s data such as maps, satellite data, and land cover products are searched and found online. Remote sensing images are put in digital images. In order for the researcher to be able to get the information that he or she wants, image processing has to be done so as to get the visual interpretation of the image. (Campbell, pg.113). b) Applications of drones in remote sensing. Commercial aerial surveillance is a major area where this topic has been applied previously. This function has been known to enhance security in homes, wildfire mapping, pipeline issues, in roads and when conducting anti-piracy. All objects on earth can be automatically detected and by this doing a scientist is able to achieve his objectives, (James, pg 200). Drones have both biometric and facial recognition systems and therefore are able to recognize a person from a height of 1500 feet. They are used in this case to patrol above 400 feet to prevent possibilities of unlawful immigration or terrorists attack from a countries boarders. Picture filmmaking which is done commercially employs remote sensing. Drones are widely used in Europe and United States to enable commercial videography, photography and surveillance. However, laws have been put in place for those carrying out drone filmmaking so as to cub cases of terrorism, (Sabins, pg. 80) Sporting events have widely been facilitated by remote sensing. Drones in this case have used in 2014 in Sochi to photograph snowboarding and skiing. In sport, aerial remote sensors are of advantage because they are flexible as they allow video to get close to the athletes. Besides, wireless sensor networks are being used to acquire information on athletes’ performance, (Robert, pg. 98) Domestic policing. Drones have greatly assisted the police in their patrols and in dealing with crimes such as cattle rustling, kidnapping, tracing back dangerous weapon held by unauthorized personnel, (Robert, pg 79). Domestic security is essential to the public so as to curb cases of terrorism and commercial satellites are well placed to carry out this task. Commercial imagery is highly employed here so as to achieve security within residential. Disaster relief. Drones are able to collect information in and around the place where disaster has occurred. From its aid people are brought to an awareness of how live in order to be safe and reduce damages. Besides, drones have largely been used in United States for rescue and search purposes like in 2008 in Texas during the hurricanes. (Robert, pg. 65). Sensor networks can convey useful information which can enable people predict any impeding danger such as earthquakes and storms. Scientific research and learning. This mostly involves the use of unmanned aircrafts because they can reach dangerous zones without distractions or harm, (Beaumont, pg.45).The scientific resources become useful latter in school, research centers, and other government organizations Wildlife conservation and monitoring. Drones are use to count the number of wild animal in a certain park. Poaching has greatly been curbed by their use. By this doing, governments have been able to preserve species of wild animals such as rhino thus promoting tourism in these countries. Still the Namibian government has previously employed this technology of remote sensing to determine its annual seal cull. Aerial firefighting. Helicopters, rappellers and smokejumpers are used too prevent wild fires. Air tankers aircrafts assist a lot in fighting these fires as shown below. Drones also are useful in inspecting pipelines, (Barrett, pg. 67). Other areas where drones were widely used in the United States include electronic attacks, strike missions, relaying of communication between parties and destruction of enemies who attack in the air. Forestry. Remote sensing is significant in forestry. It is essential in species identification, mapping or in making boundaries, giving information on strategic management of trees, provides information on traditional forest survey methods, (Richards, pg. 102). Agriculture can efficiently be managed using drones. Issues to do with land development, soil mapping, water management, drought management, crop production forecast and agrometology are part and parcel of farming and have to be proper for good productivity. Besides, identification of weeds is enhanced these strong sensors, (Siamak, pg. 56). Commercial farmers world wide have benefited a lot with this technique thus experiencing much improvement on crop production. Data collection. Sampling survey is the first essential data collection method. A scientist is required to carry out pre-field logistics using remote sensors and any other data collected in the previous years in the same land .He or she is normally keen to determine the intensity, unit size, fraction and location of maps and the earth. Experimental research method. This method also encompasses observation techniques of the researcher in order to determine the behavior of object under test. In this project, drones and other devices were tested to determine their effectiveness, impact, prove hypothesis. Although drones are useful in remote sensing, they at times threaten the public with the noise that they produce (Barrett, pg. 34) Telephone surveys. This is believed to be the fastest method of getting relevant information from a source. One can probe the source so as to receive clear information. (Springer, Pg. 58). These kinds of surveys are normally lengthy because of the purpose. Observation. Scientific researchers at times involve this technique in finding for relevant information in their projects. By this doing, they are able to incorporate other research methods to come up with accurate information in their studies. (Khorram, pg.100). Drones have the capability to take aerial snapshots and sense anything on the ground. Observation method complements the traditional methods of data collection; one receives direct information and thus giving rise to a more accurate compilation of information. The diagram below shows media coverage of the capability of drones as uses in agriculture. Existing data. Old books and other references are good sources of scientific information. Available data can greatly help in giving rise to patterns or findings. The researcher should be careful to get real finding and get important clue on a given project. Existing and documented record vary and one incurs less cost in his research. These sources include governmental agencies, international, local, national sources and non governmental organizations. These records give the researcher a hint on the existing cases, and the rate at which it occurred and encourage planning and design the project on ground. In-depth interviews. Scientific researchers use this technique to get more information on their topics of study. The interviews can either be by word of mouth or through telephone conversation. It is therefore upon the researcher to select the information that he wants in order to complete the project, (Richards, pg.302). This method is of advantage to the researcher because there is enough time for the respondent to convey information, the conversations are normally well organized and one can get good information from experts. Data analysis. In data analysis, a researcher is required to clean, model and totally transform the data in order to finally come up with a final decision or conclusion on his project. It is assumed at this level that the research well understands what he is doing. Data analysis entails describing the behavior of related aspects or variables of the phenomena under study, (Schowengerdt, pg.103). Data here is examined to show trends, patterns or relationships. Scientists can discover useful information and therefore are able to come up with due conclusions which enable them make certain decisions on their work. They work towards obtaining relevant facts which enable them solid conclusions. The information at hand is finally documented and any errors found corrected, (Sabins, pg. 78). The remote sensing information sought by the researcher is analyzed appropriately before concluding the project. A researcher can latter acquire fine information on the entire concept discussed at this point starting from the definition, applications and data collection methods. Results and discussion. The inferences drawn from this study are that remote sensing study requires the use of digital technology which is proved to be effective so as to achieve the objective desired. Scientists also should be careful enough so as not to harm themselves and the public at large. Although remote sensing is essential in day to day lives, it poses several limitations to both the researcher and the public including the following: Alot of cost is incurred in the research due to the devices used in the study; it is not easy to operate the sensors, besides, the technologies required in remote sensing activity are still limited. (Richards, pg. 100) A well researched and organized project in this topic entirely depends on how the researcher conversant with remote sensing, the methods of research and the devices which he will use to carry out the study. Scientists are therefore advised not to limit themselves to one source of information so as to achieve the objectives. The above diagram shows the capability of drones to sense and detect earthquakes. They thus teach the people on the significance of taking precautions to any impeding dangers in life and also how and where to live. Conclusion. Scientific researchers are encouraged to use powerful satellites in order for them to be able to complete their study with drones and their applications. These digital devices are expensive to both purchase and use. Researchers are also called to be careful in their researches so as not to harm both themselves and the public at large. This is due to the fact that sensors and satellite have rays which can be very harmful. Work cited Barrett, E. Curtis. Introduction to environmental remote sensing. Chapman and Hall. 1976. Print. Beaumont, E. Remote sensing. American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 1992. Print. Campbell, James B. Introduction to remote sensing. Guilford Press. 1996. Print. Khorram, Siamak. Remote sensing. Springer. 2012. Print. Lillesand, Thomas et al. Remote sensing and image interpretation. Wiley. 1979. Print. Richards, J. A. Remote sensing digital image analysis: an introduction. Springer-Verlag, 1986. Print. Sabins, Floyd F. Remote sensing: principles and interpretation. W.H. Freeman.1978.Print. Schowengerdt, Robert A. Remote sensing models and methods for image processing. Academic Press. 2007. Print. Read More