GIS Geographical Information System

Lesson Objectives
• Understand what a GIS is
• Understand how a GIS functions
• Understand how spatial data is

represented in a GIS
• Look at some GIS applications

Data vs.
Information
• Data, by itself, generally differs from

information.
• Data is of little use unless it is transformed
into information.
• Information is an answer to a question
based on raw data.
• We transform data into information
through the use of an Information System.
INFORMATION SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
What is an Information System?
What is an Information
System?
Information System
Query
Data
Information
Storage
Information systems can be very simple,

such as a telephone directory.
What is an Information
System?
In the digital environment we use software to
create complex information systems.
What is a GIS?
Information System
A means of storing,
retrieving, sorting,
and comparing
+
spatial data
Geographic Position
to support some
analytic process.
What is a GIS?
GEOGRAPHIC Information System
GIS links graphical features (entities) to tabular data

(attributes)
GIS Definition
• A GIS is a system (hardware + database
engine) that is designed to efficiently,
assemble, store, update, analyze, manipulate,
and display geographically referenced data
(data identified by their locations).
• A GIS also includes the people

operating the system and the data
that go into the system.
Key Functions of a GIS
Data can be:

1. Positioned by its known spatial
coordinates.
2. Input and organized (generally in
layers).
3. Stored and retrieved.
4. Analyzed (usually via a Relational
DBMS).
5. Modified and displayed
Geographic Information
Systems
Define
Decision
problem
GIS Define GIS

Output
Process criteria
GIS Import or
analysis build datasets
MODELLING AND
STRUCTURING DATA
(How we represent features or spatial

elements)
Representing Spatial
Elements
• RASTER
• VECTOR
• Real World
Elements
Raster
Stores images as rows and columns of numbers with a
Digital Value/Number (DN) for each cell.
Units are usually represented as square grid cells that are

uniform in size.
Data is classified as
“continuous” (such as in an
image), or “thematic”
(where each cell denotes a
feature type.
Numerous data formats
(TIFF, GIF, ERDAS.img etc)
Elements
Vector
Allows user to specify specific spatial locations and
assumes that geographic space is continuous, not
broken up into discrete grid squares
We store features as sets of X,Y coordinate pairs.

Entity Representations
We typically represent objects in space as three

distinct spatial elements:
Points - simplest
element
Lines (arcs) - set of

connected points
Polygons - set of
connected lines
We use these three spatial elements to represent real world features and
attach locational information to them.
Attributes
• In the raster data model, the cell

value (Digital Number) is the
attribute. Examples: brightness,
landcover code, SST, etc.
• For vector data, attribute records are
linked to point, line & polygon
features. Can store multiple
attributes per feature. Vector
features are linked to attributes by a
unique feature number.
Raster vs. Vector
Raster Advantages
The most common data format
Easy to perform mathematical and overlay operations
Satellite information is easily incorporated
Better represents “continuous”- type data
Vector Advantages
Accurate positional information that is best for storing discrete
thematic features (e.g., roads, shorelines, sea-bed features.
Compact data storage requirements
Can associate unlimited numbers of attributes with specific features

GIS FUNCTIONALITY
(What do they do?)

GIS Functions
• Data Assembly
• Data Storage
• Spatial Data Analysis and

Manipulation
• Spatial Data Output

GIS Functions
Data Assembly
Maps RSI
Intel Database Direct Entry GPS
Keyboard
Data Input/Creation
GIS Functions
GIS Storage
1 (Universe polygon)
2 3 Spatial data
(ARC functions)
4 5
COV# ZONE ZIP
1 0
2 C-19 22060
Attribute data 3
4
A-4
C-22
22061
22060
(INFO or TABLES functions) 5 A-5 22057
GIS Functions
Spatial Data Manipulation and Analysis
• Common Manipulation
– Reclassification
– Map Projection changes
• Common Analysis
– Buffering
– Overlay
– Network
Spatial Analysis
• Overlay function creates new

“layers” to solve spatial problems
GIS Functions
Spatial Data Output
• Tables
• Maps
• Interactive Displays
• 3-D Perspective View

SOME EXAMPLES
AND APPLICATIONS
GIS Applications
• Site selection
– Helicopter Landing Zones
– Amphibious Assault (Water Depth)
– Buffer Zones
– Flight Planning
– Battlefield Visualisation
Helicopter Landing Zones
HLZ sites
Amphibious Assault Planning
Spatial Analysis
Proximity Analysis (Buffers)
1000 Meter Buffer of Railroads
Flight Planning
Flight Planning/Flythroughs
Battlefield Visualization
and/or Situation Awareness
Other GIS Applications
• Cross country movement

– Route planning
– Intervisibility study
• Facilities management
• Airfield assessment
• Road network analysis (convoys)
• Propagation coverages
• Observation post siting analysis
• Perspective views
CCM Analysis
CCM & Viewshed
Facilities Management
Airfields
Network Analysis
Antenna Propagation Coverages
Observation Post Siting Analysis
Perspective Views
SUMMARY
✓ Key Concepts
✓ Data representation
✓ Applications

GIS Geographical Information System

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Lesson Objectives

• Understand what a GIS is

• Understand how a GIS functions

• Understand how spatial data is

• Look at some GIS applications

• Data, by itself, generally differs from

Information systems can be very simple,

GIS links graphical features (entities) to tabular data

• A GIS also includes the people

Data can be:

GIS Define GIS

(How we represent features or spatial

Units are usually represented as square grid cells that are

We store features as sets of X,Y coordinate pairs.

We typically represent objects in space as three

Lines (arcs) - set of

• In the raster data model, the cell

Easy to perform mathematical and overlay operations

Satellite information is easily incorporated

Better represents “continuous”- type data

Compact data storage requirements

Can associate unlimited numbers of attributes with specific features

(What do they do?)

• Spatial Data Analysis and

• Spatial Data Output

Intel Database Direct Entry GPS

Spatial Data Manipulation and Analysis

• Overlay function creates new

• 3-D Perspective View

• Cross country movement

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