LiDAR Scanning Services
LiDAR scanning is a measurement technique that uses pulsed laser energy to determine distances between the sensor and target surfaces, generating dense 3D point clouds at millimetre-level precision. We operate terrestrial, mobile, and airborne LiDAR platforms across Australia.
Capabilities
What we deliver
- Terrestrial LiDAR: tripod-mounted scanning at +/-2mm accuracy for buildings and structures
- Mobile LiDAR: SLAM-based handheld and trolley systems for rapid interior mapping
- Airborne LiDAR: UAV-mounted sensors for terrain, vegetation, and corridor mapping
- Multi-return LiDAR for vegetation penetration and ground surface extraction
- Time-of-flight and phase-shift measurement methods depending on range requirements
- Integration of LiDAR with GNSS/INS for direct georeferencing
Equipment Used
Deliverables
- Classified point clouds (ground, vegetation, building, noise)
- Georeferenced LAS/LAZ files in MGA2020 or project datum
- Digital terrain models (DTM) and digital surface models (DSM)
- Intensity and RGB-coloured point clouds
- Cross-sections, profiles, and contour plans
Our Process
How we work
Platform Selection
We assess your project requirements (accuracy, area, access, vegetation density) and recommend the optimal LiDAR platform or combination of platforms.
Control & Calibration
Survey control is established. For airborne missions, base stations and ground control points are positioned and observed with GNSS. Equipment is calibrated against known references.
Data Acquisition
LiDAR data is captured according to the project specification. Terrestrial scans are positioned for optimal coverage and overlap. Airborne missions follow pre-planned flight lines at the design altitude and speed.
Processing & Classification
Raw LiDAR returns are processed into a georeferenced point cloud. Points are classified by surface type (ground, vegetation, building, noise) using automated algorithms and manual QA.
FAQs
Common questions
What does LiDAR stand for and how does it differ from laser scanning?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. In practice, LiDAR and laser scanning refer to the same underlying technology: a sensor emits laser pulses and measures the time of flight to calculate distance. The term "LiDAR" is more commonly used in airborne and mobile mapping contexts, while "laser scanning" or "terrestrial laser scanning" tends to describe tripod-mounted instruments. Both produce point clouds. The distinction is mostly one of convention rather than technology. At Brisbane Point Cloud, we use all three platforms (terrestrial, mobile, airborne) and select based on project requirements.
What accuracy does LiDAR achieve?
Accuracy varies by platform and range. Our terrestrial scanner (Trimble X7) achieves +/-2mm point accuracy at 20m, making it suitable for engineering and architectural measurement. Mobile SLAM systems (NavVis MLX) achieve +/-10-15mm relative accuracy, suitable for interior mapping and facilities documentation. Airborne LiDAR from our DJI Matrice 4T achieves +/-30mm vertical accuracy at 60-80m flight height with ground control. All figures are quoted as RMS values. We always verify achieved accuracy against independent check points and report results with deliverables.
When should I choose LiDAR over photogrammetry?
LiDAR is the better choice when you need: measurement in poor lighting or indoors (LiDAR does not depend on ambient light), penetration through vegetation to reach the ground surface (multi-return LiDAR passes through tree canopy), high geometric accuracy for engineering measurement, or rapid capture with minimal post-processing. Photogrammetry is preferred when you need high-resolution visual texture, the subject is well-lit with good surface contrast, or budget is constrained and moderate accuracy is acceptable. Many projects benefit from combining both technologies.
Can LiDAR penetrate vegetation?
Yes. Airborne LiDAR systems record multiple returns per pulse. When the laser passes through gaps in tree canopy, the first return records the canopy top and subsequent returns record mid-storey vegetation and the ground surface beneath. Our DJI Matrice 4T LiDAR payload records up to 3 returns per pulse. Ground penetration rates depend on vegetation density: open eucalypt woodland may yield 60-80% ground returns, while dense rainforest canopy may yield only 10-20%. We assess vegetation density during planning and adjust flight parameters to maximise ground return density.
What is the difference between time-of-flight and phase-shift LiDAR?
Time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR measures the round-trip travel time of a discrete laser pulse to calculate distance. Phase-shift LiDAR emits a continuous modulated laser beam and measures the phase difference between emitted and returned signals. Phase-shift scanners (like the Trimble X7) achieve higher measurement rates (up to 1 million points per second) and better accuracy at short to medium range (up to 80m). Time-of-flight systems excel at longer ranges (hundreds of metres). Most modern terrestrial scanners use phase-shift technology. Airborne systems typically use discrete-return time-of-flight because of the longer measurement distances.
How is LiDAR data georeferenced?
Georeferencing ties the point cloud to a real-world coordinate system. For terrestrial scanning, we survey control targets with GNSS or total station and use these known coordinates to transform the registered point cloud into the project datum (typically MGA2020 in Australia). For airborne LiDAR, the aircraft carries a GNSS receiver and inertial measurement unit (IMU) that record position and orientation at high frequency. Post-processing combines the LiDAR ranges with the trajectory solution to produce directly georeferenced points. Ground control points provide independent accuracy verification.
Get a quote for lidar scanning services
Tell us about your project and we will provide a fixed-price proposal within one business day.