High-Accuracy Geopositioning from High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. The new technology of high-resolution satellite imaging (HRSI) is revolutionising geospatial information generation for digital mapping, GIS and remote sensing. This project will investigate the metric potential of HRSI and specifically high-accuracy 3D geopositioning. The research will address fundamental issues of imaging sensor orientation modelling, multi-image matching and terrain model extraction. New and refined algorith ....High-Accuracy Geopositioning from High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. The new technology of high-resolution satellite imaging (HRSI) is revolutionising geospatial information generation for digital mapping, GIS and remote sensing. This project will investigate the metric potential of HRSI and specifically high-accuracy 3D geopositioning. The research will address fundamental issues of imaging sensor orientation modelling, multi-image matching and terrain model extraction. New and refined algorithms and computational schemes will be formulated and implemented in software. These developments will then be evaluated through comprehensive experimental testing using Ikonos and Quickbird satellite imagery, with the expected project outcomes being new, experimentally validated computational models, which will advance geospatial information generation from HRSI.Read moreRead less
Fusion of Laser Ranging Data and Imagery for Generation of 3D Virtual Models. The creation of image texture-mapped, three-dimensional (3D) digital models of object scenes is becoming increasingly more important in virtual reality generation. Visually realistic computer models find application in reverse engineering and industrial metrology and design, but their utility is often limited by shortcomings in accuracy and completeness. This project aims, through a fusion of laser scanner data and dig ....Fusion of Laser Ranging Data and Imagery for Generation of 3D Virtual Models. The creation of image texture-mapped, three-dimensional (3D) digital models of object scenes is becoming increasingly more important in virtual reality generation. Visually realistic computer models find application in reverse engineering and industrial metrology and design, but their utility is often limited by shortcomings in accuracy and completeness. This project aims, through a fusion of laser scanner data and digital photogrammetric imagery, to develop improved mathematical models and computational systems to facilitate advances in automated 3D object reconstruction for high-definition, metrically accurate photo-realistic digital models. The principal outcome from the project will be enhanced 3D computer modelling for engineering applications.
Read moreRead less
Data integration, scale and classification of remotely sensed imagery. This project will investigate and resolve the specific problems associated with processing, interpreting and classifying high-resolution satellite imagery. Previous work has shown that current algorithms developed for lower resolution remote sensing data are not appropriate for processing higher resolution data. New algorithms will be developed for geometrically and radiometrically processing high-resolution satellite data ....Data integration, scale and classification of remotely sensed imagery. This project will investigate and resolve the specific problems associated with processing, interpreting and classifying high-resolution satellite imagery. Previous work has shown that current algorithms developed for lower resolution remote sensing data are not appropriate for processing higher resolution data. New algorithms will be developed for geometrically and radiometrically processing high-resolution satellite data so that it can be interpreted in conjunction with other similar data, or existing lower resolution data. Consequently, the potential uses of high resolution satellite imagery will be greatly increased, allowing many more users to access the advantages of this unique source of data.Read moreRead less
Airborne passive radiometer for high resolution soil moisture monitoring. The project proposes to create a novel technology to measure soil moisture. Accurate knowledge of soil moisture profiles at high resolution is important for sustainable land and water management including efficient irrigation scheduling and cropping practices. A passive multi-band soil moisture-measuring radiometer at L-, Ku- and Ka-bands is proposed. The radiometer comprises a three-band shared aperture antenna array, a ....Airborne passive radiometer for high resolution soil moisture monitoring. The project proposes to create a novel technology to measure soil moisture. Accurate knowledge of soil moisture profiles at high resolution is important for sustainable land and water management including efficient irrigation scheduling and cropping practices. A passive multi-band soil moisture-measuring radiometer at L-, Ku- and Ka-bands is proposed. The radiometer comprises a three-band shared aperture antenna array, a receiving electronics, a digital controller and a data logger. The array antenna comprises dual polarised stacked patch elements. Beamforming networks form agile beams to scan the ground. Sensitive radiometer receivers apply brightness temperature downscaling for high resolution. The high-resolution passive radiometer would revolutionise airborne soil moisture monitoring by removing the mechanically steerable bulky and heavy scanheads.Read moreRead less
Quantifying Uncertainty in Predictions of Global Change. This project will develop and apply quantitative risk management models to assess whether data sources used in the predictions of global changes, in: (i) land use and land cover; (ii) biodiversity; and (iii) carbon emissions, are adequate. It will focus on the issues of data accuracy, scale and temporal resolution in order to assess whether spatial data sources meet environmental decision-making needs. The research has the potential to ( ....Quantifying Uncertainty in Predictions of Global Change. This project will develop and apply quantitative risk management models to assess whether data sources used in the predictions of global changes, in: (i) land use and land cover; (ii) biodiversity; and (iii) carbon emissions, are adequate. It will focus on the issues of data accuracy, scale and temporal resolution in order to assess whether spatial data sources meet environmental decision-making needs. The research has the potential to (a) aid the federal and state government(s), and international agencies, in making informed policy / management decisions and to increase their effectiveness in implementing international treaties and protocols; and (b) help ensure the future capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to provide resources for the world's growing population and their ability to absorb the associated carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
MoistureMonitor: A multi-mission soil moisture monitoring system for a water limited future. A long-term soil moisture record for Australia is critical to understanding climate change feedback mechanisms and their impacts on water management. This project will validate, downscale and harmonise soil moisture retrievals from three satellite missions across this decade, each using a new and different low resolution antenna technology and interpretation approach. Moisture Monitor, the framework to d ....MoistureMonitor: A multi-mission soil moisture monitoring system for a water limited future. A long-term soil moisture record for Australia is critical to understanding climate change feedback mechanisms and their impacts on water management. This project will validate, downscale and harmonise soil moisture retrievals from three satellite missions across this decade, each using a new and different low resolution antenna technology and interpretation approach. Moisture Monitor, the framework to deliver this soil moisture record, will be verified using airborne campaigns and hydrological monitoring infrastructure in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Important outcomes will be validation of a new soil moisture satellite and development of a high resolution soil moisture product for improved land and water management and policy for Australia.Read moreRead less
Towards an Active and Passive L- and P-band soil moisture satellite mission. This project tests alternate configurations for remote sensing of soil moisture using a new state-of-the-art Active/Passive (ie radar/radiometer) P-/L-band (ie microwave) satellite concept through a series of airborne field experiments. Timely soil moisture information is critical to improved water management for food production in the face of climate variability. The challenge is to do this accurately over large areas ....Towards an Active and Passive L- and P-band soil moisture satellite mission. This project tests alternate configurations for remote sensing of soil moisture using a new state-of-the-art Active/Passive (ie radar/radiometer) P-/L-band (ie microwave) satellite concept through a series of airborne field experiments. Timely soil moisture information is critical to improved water management for food production in the face of climate variability. The challenge is to do this accurately over large areas with an appropriate spatio-temporal detail, and for a soil depth that closely approximates the layer which impacts crop/pasture growth and influences management decisions. The longer P-band allows deeper penetration into the soil while the active/passive combination uses the respective resolution and accuracy characteristics.Read moreRead less
P-band soil moisture sensing from space. This project aims to develop radiative transfer models to demonstrate that a P-band radiometer capability can remotely sense the top ~15cm layer of soil moisture, through a series of tower and airborne field experiments. Timely soil moisture information on this near-surface layer is critical to improved water management for food production in the face of extreme climate variability. Current satellite technologies are limited to the top ~5cm layer of soil ....P-band soil moisture sensing from space. This project aims to develop radiative transfer models to demonstrate that a P-band radiometer capability can remotely sense the top ~15cm layer of soil moisture, through a series of tower and airborne field experiments. Timely soil moisture information on this near-surface layer is critical to improved water management for food production in the face of extreme climate variability. Current satellite technologies are limited to the top ~5cm layer of soil using an L-band radiometer. This project is expected to give farmers the soil moisture data they need to optimise their available water resources to maximise food productionRead moreRead less
Remote sensing of biotic stress with hyperspectral-fluorescence imaging. This project aims to investigate new indicators of crop biotic stress using innovative airborne remote sensing and imaging spectroscopy for biosecurity applications. Current satellites used to monitor crops and forests do not meet the spectral and spatial details that are required for the early -previsual- detection of biotic and abiotic stress. Accordingly, this project's significance focuses on new insights to detect the ....Remote sensing of biotic stress with hyperspectral-fluorescence imaging. This project aims to investigate new indicators of crop biotic stress using innovative airborne remote sensing and imaging spectroscopy for biosecurity applications. Current satellites used to monitor crops and forests do not meet the spectral and spatial details that are required for the early -previsual- detection of biotic and abiotic stress. Accordingly, this project's significance focuses on new insights to detect the alteration of photosynthetic indicators of plant functioning, building on recent breakthroughs with airborne hyperspectral imaging and remote sensing technologies. The outcomes will provide significant benefits to Australia in the detection of harmful diseases and improved water and nutrient monitoring methods.Read moreRead less
The Lexicon Project: Analysing pedagogical naming systems from different cultures to reconceptualise classroom practice and advance educational theory. Classrooms remain the principal site of institutionalised learning. Their cultural specificity poses challenges for international comparative research. New approaches are needed. Internationally, our educational theories, research and descriptions of practice are framed in English, which names some aspects of the classroom, but ignores key aspect ....The Lexicon Project: Analysing pedagogical naming systems from different cultures to reconceptualise classroom practice and advance educational theory. Classrooms remain the principal site of institutionalised learning. Their cultural specificity poses challenges for international comparative research. New approaches are needed. Internationally, our educational theories, research and descriptions of practice are framed in English, which names some aspects of the classroom, but ignores key aspects named in other languages. This limits our capacity to access, connect and adapt the wisdom of other cultures. The Lexicon Project will initiate cross-cultural dialogue to identify pedagogical terms from selected Asian and European educational communities and use these as analytical tools to categorise, interrogate and enrich our classroom practice, classroom research, and educational theorising.Read moreRead less