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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the principles of imagery sensor operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244515  Explain the principles of imagery sensor operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air Defence 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2007-08-16  2010-08-16  SAQA 0572/07 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2011-08-16   2014-08-16  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit will be useful to people who wish to have a basic level of understanding of remote sensing. Learners who achieve this unit standard will be able to use this knowledge which allow them to understand how the image was formed in order to apply the correct processing techniques in different contexts such as earth observation, intelligence, geo-sciences, geohydrology, archaeology, mapping of watersheds and environmental management.

Qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Explain the electro-magnetic spectrum in relation to remote sensing.
  • Explain the characteristics of sensor systems.
  • Explain the operations of sensor systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Remote sensing only refers to the imagery aspect. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the electro-magnetic spectrum in relation to remote sensing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The characteristics of the electro-magnetic spectrum are explained in relation to remote sensing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics include but are not limited to wavelength, frequency, visible and invisible.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Atmospheric effects are explained in terms of their impact on remote sensing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Atmospheric effects includes but are not limited to scattering, absorption and atmospheric windows.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The interaction of electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) with matter is explained in relation to imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Interaction includes but is not limited to absorption, transmission, reflection and refraction.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the characteristics of sensor systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Characteristics include but are not limited to analogue, digital, active, passive. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Active and passive sensors are compared in terms of their applications, benefits and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Analogue and digital sensors are compared in terms of their benefits and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Digital imagery are described in terms of their characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Characteristics include but are not limited to pixel, digital number, channel, and spectral signature.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of sensor position on the image is explained in accordance with the principles of sensor geometry. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sensor position includes but not limited to nadir, off-nadir, geo-pointing, vertical, oblique and panoramic.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Image composition is explained taking into account image geometry. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Image geometry includes but is not limited to pixel size, pixel shape, field of view.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the operations of sensor systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Sensor systems include spaceborne, airborne and static.
  • Spaceborne sensors may include but not limited to Landsat MSS, Landsat TM, SPOT 3 - 5, EROS, Ikonos, Quickbird, RADARSAT.
  • Airborne sensors may include but not limited to.
  • Static sensors may include but not limited to. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sensor systems are described in terms of their general characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Characteristics for spaceborne systems orbit, swath, timing of acquisition, resolution such as spectral, spatial, temporal, radiometric.
  • Characteristics for airborne systems.
  • Characteristics for static systems.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sensor systems are described in terms of their differences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sensor systems are described in terms of their applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of resolution on image analysis is explained in terms of its influence on identification of images. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Electro-magnetic spectrum.
  • Light.
  • Radar.
  • Sensor systems.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • Atmospheric effects.
  • interaction of electro-magnetic radiation (EMR).

    Categories of things, processes, concepts:
  • Sensor systems, differences and applications.

    Current Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies (as amended):
  • Act 2 of 2000 Access to Information.
  • Act 55 2003 Spatial Information Act.

    Theory-rules, laws, principles:
  • Digital sensors: Whisk broom, push broom, mirror based, prism based.
  • Electro-magnetic spectrum.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Influence of sensor position. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Solving problems regarding sensor use and/or function. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Doing planning and imagery. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • During planning phase. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Gathering information about sensor types. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Using different types of equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • When determining the influence of sensor position on imagery. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Abbreviations:
  • SPOT: Satellite Pour L' Observation de la Terre. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58784   National Diploma: Geospatial Image Analysis  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.