Terrestrial laser scanners pre-processing: registration and georeferencing

Abstract

Terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) is a non-contact sensor, optics-based instrument that collects three dimensional (3D) data of a defined region of an object surface automatically and in a systematic pattern with a high data collecting rate. This capability has made TLS widely applied for numerous 3D applications. With the ability to provide dense 3D data, TLS has improved the processing phase in constructing complete 3D model, which is much simpler and faster. Pre-processing is one of the phases involved, which consisted of registration and georeferencing procedures. Due to the many error sources occur in TLS measurement, thus, pre-processing can be considered as very crucial phase to identify any existence of errors and outliers. Any presence of errors in this phase can decrease the quality of TLS final product. With intention to discuss about this issue, this study has performed two experiments, which involved with data collection for land slide monitoring and 3D topography. By implementing both direct and indirect pre-processing method, the outcomes have indicated that TLS is suitable for applications which require centimetre level of accuracy.