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

Analyse an image acquired by an active sensor 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244516  Analyse an image acquired by an active sensor 
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  12 
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 analyse an image acquired by an active sensor. Learners will be able to use the imagery acquired from active sensors and will also be able to correct errors inherent in images from active sensors. Learners who achieve this unit standard will be able to use this knowledge 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 fundamentals of active sensors.
  • Apply corrections to imagery acquired by an active sensor.
  • Analyse imagery acquired by an active sensor. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Apply image analysis techniques, at NQF Level 5.
  • Process and prepare a digital image, at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the fundamentals of active sensors. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Active sensors include but are not limited to radar, sonar, laser, lidar and acoustic. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Principles of image acquisition are explained in terms of active sensors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include but are not limited to incidence angle, frequency, polarization, look direction, resolution and beam mode.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Image geometry is explained in terms of active sensors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geometry includes but is not limited to incidence angle, altitude, azimuth direction, range direction, slant range and ground range.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Geometric distortion is explained in terms of its influences on imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Distortions include but are not limited to relief displacement due to foreshortening, layover and shadowing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Radiometric distortions are explained in terms of its influences on imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Distortions include but are not limited to local incident angle and image brightness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Microwave energy is explained in terms of its effects on imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effects include but are not limited to speckle, surface roughness, moisture content and depth penetration.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply corrections to imagery acquired by an active sensor. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Corrections refer to geometric and speckle reductions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geometric corrections are performed to ensure geometric accuracy of the imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Geometric corrections include but are not limited to slant to ground range and polynomial calculation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Speckle reduction filters are applied to reduce visual noise on imagery. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Filters include but are not limited to adaptive and non-adaptive.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse imagery acquired by an active sensor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principles of interpretation are applied to imagery acquired by an active sensor to extract features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles refer to but are not limited to:
  • Shape, size and shadow.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Image artifacts are identified and corrected in order to reduce ambiguities in the image. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Image artifacts include but are not limited to ambiguities, scalloping and automatic gain control.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A qualitative analysis is conducted based on data integration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A quantitative analysis is conducted based on prescribed analysis techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quantitative analysis includes but is not limited to classification and multi-parameter analysis.
     


    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 
  • Qualitative analysis.
  • Quantitative analysis.

    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):
  • Access to Information Act (Act 2 of 2000) sections dealing procedures pertaining to obtaining of information.
  • Spatial Information Act (Act 55 2003).

    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 
    N/A 

    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 
    Elective  63589   National Diploma: Geographical Information Science  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    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.