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W4 - Raster Data Model

The document discusses the raster data model. It defines raster as a grid system where each cell corresponds to a spatial attribute value. Raster stores data in a table with cell locations and attribute values. Each cell must be rectangular and can store integer, floating point, or no data values. Raster has advantages like simple data structure and faster display, but disadvantages like large data storage needs and loss of precision with large cell sizes. Common raster formats include satellite images, digital elevation models, and digital orthos.

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23 views4 pages

W4 - Raster Data Model

The document discusses the raster data model. It defines raster as a grid system where each cell corresponds to a spatial attribute value. Raster stores data in a table with cell locations and attribute values. Each cell must be rectangular and can store integer, floating point, or no data values. Raster has advantages like simple data structure and faster display, but disadvantages like large data storage needs and loss of precision with large cell sizes. Common raster formats include satellite images, digital elevation models, and digital orthos.

Uploaded by

kongwesadia6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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10/20/2009

Raster Data Model

Pete Collins
10/20/09

Raster Data Model


• What is Raster?
– Grid system to cover space
– Value of each cell corresponds to the spatial characteristic of that cell
location
• Data stored in a table w/number location and attribute value.
– Applicable to continuous map data in 2‐D and 3‐D
• Slope
• Precipitation
• Topographic/elevation

• History of Raster
– Static in 30 + years
– R&D in file format & compression

1
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Raster Data Model


• Elements of Raster
– Columns (x) & rows (y) of cells
• Can be understood as points, lines, and polygons
– Cell location w/in the ordering of the matrix
• Unlike Vector which stores topology explicitly
• Must have spatial reference info to align w/other data sets
– Each cell must be rectangular

Raster Data Model


• Elements of the Raster cell (or pixel)
– Integer (i.e. categorical)
• Can be easily queried
• Example: (1 = Forest; 2 = Ag land; 3 = desert)
– Floating‐point (i.e. continuous)
• More precise, but computer memory req’
• Example: Precipitation – average rainfall in inches (12.34; 15.06; 18.45)
– No Value
• Excluded during calculations
• Precision
– Area w/in cell defines spatial resolution
– Smaller the cell, the greater the resolution
– Increased storage
[Link]
[Link]/gisweb/GISModule
/GIST_Raster.htm

2
10/20/2009

Raster Data Model

• Commons examples of Raster Formats:


– Satellite Images
– Digital Elevation Data (DEM)
– Digital Orthos
– Scanned Maps
DEM
[Link]

Digital Ortho Satellite Image


Illinois Natural Resource Clearinghouse Univ. of [Link]

Raster Data Model


• Advantages
– Simple data structure
– Fixed cell location (continuous, but discrete units)
– Variables can be manipulated easily
– Faster dataset to display
• Disadvantages
– Data storage can be large
– Large cells reduce data, but lose precision

3
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Raster Data Model


• Sources:
– Chang, Kang‐tsung. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems – 5th ed.
2009
– The University of Melbourne. Department of Geomatics.
[Link]/gisweb/
– University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. School of Information and Library
Science. “Basic Raster Models”. [Link]/
– University of Washington.
[Link]

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