The design of integrated Remote Sensing and geographic information system for natural resources management
Malaysian center for Remote Sensing
A Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MCRS) has recently been established under the Ministry of Science, Technology and the environment. Among others, the centre functions as: (1) the permanent secretariat to the National Remote Sensing Committee (2) the focal point for implementing National Remote Sensing Programme, and (3) the contact point for regional and international remote sensing activities. In terms of operation, MCRS is divided into four sections, namely User Service, Application and Research, Spatial Data Analysis (GIS), and training. Functional outlines of these sections are given in Fig. 3.
| USER SERVICE |
APPLICATION &
RESEARCH |
SPATIAL DATA
ANALYSIS |
TRAINING &
DEV. |
Acquire,
process,
store,
disseminate
RS data |
Provide bureau
services with
in house
facilities |
Liase with national
mapping &
resources agencies |
Liase with
international / regional
remote centers |
Regular production
of new letters |
Conduct applied
and
basic research |
Compile digital
base maps
(DIM, DEM) and
resources data
bases |
Conduct specialists
seminars &
training courses |
Achieving and
library services |
Provide specialist
consultancy
services |
Integrate RS
and spatial
data bases
into GIS |
|
Figure 3: Functional outline of the Malaysian centre for Remote Sensing
Equipment for MCRS are especially configures for integrating remote sensing and GIS. This integration is the key to operational use of these two technologies for effective management of the natural resources, and thus to realizing the objective of the National Remote Sensing Programme. Accordingly, as indicated in Fig. 4 the configuration of the equipment is divided into four major components. They are Image Processing System (IPS) running on MicroVax II Computer, Geographical Information System (GIS) running on sun workstation, PC-based training facilities for image processing and GIS, and dedicated RS Photographic Laboratory. With the exception of the Photographic Laboratory, all these components are linked via Ethernet networking system, allowing movement of data from one system to another and their conversion from vector to rater and vice versa for processing and integration.
Figure 4: System configuration for Malaysian centre for Remote Sensing
Software architecture for the configuration for is given in Fig. 5 The IPS runs on MERIDIAN software of MDA and it includes Geocoded Image System (GICS). Other than raw satellite data the system also accepts scanned and converted analog-to-digital data and, using Generalized Synthetic Aperture Radar Software (GSAR), also raw radar data. The GIS component consists of Image Graphics System build around Advanced Mapping System of Geovision as core. The system accepts manually digitized thematic maps as input data and is capable of generating plotted maps and graphics as outputs. The software for the PC-based system are meant mainly for training purposes and they are Meridian-PC for image processing and Tydac-SPANS for GIS.
Figure 5: Software architecture
Conclusion
Now the National Remote Sensing Programme has been initiated and the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing established, there is a definite need to assess progress and the extend to which the objectives are being realised. In this context a proper monitoring and evaluation system is necessary. Formulation of such a system offers many difficulties. Some of the questions which arise are: What is the benchmark? What is the time frame? How do the evaluation exercise quantified? It is hoped that experts gathered at this meeting will help to throw lights in these vital aspects of the Malaysian programme.
Malaysian Center for Remote Sensing
Permanent secretariat to National Remote Sensing Committee Focal Point for implementing National Remote Sensing Programme Contact point for regional/international remote sensing activities.
