Using ArcGIS for Geospatial Intelligence: Data Fundamentals

Geospatial intelligence analysts working in defense, intelligence, and homeland security agencies.

Prerequisites

Completion of ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality or Learning ArcGIS Desktop or equivalent knowledge is required.

• Identify, procure, and prepare relevant geospatial datasets for analysis.
• Assess the level of error in a geospatial dataset.
• Assign a spatial reference to support accurate measurements, navigation, and analysis of data.
• Understand the usefulness and limitations of various raster formats and derive new data from raster sources, including imagery.
• Create vector data from tabular data, imagery, and existing cartographic products.
• Integrate skills learned in class into the analysis process for producing actionable intelligence.

Download table of contents [PDF 99kb]

Geospatial intelligence overview

• Intelligence-gathering disciplines
• Components of GEOINT

Understanding geodata

• Location and attributes
• Attribute measurement types
• Vector data model
• Raster data model
• Non-traditional geodata

Geodesy essentials

• Modeling the earth's shape
• Coordinate systems and datums
• Map projections

Raster data

• Raster data sources
• Digital elevation models
• Shaded relief
• Imagery
• Using raster data for analysis

Vector data

• Modeling topological relationships
• Networks
• Collection methods for vector data
• Understanding the error potential

Tabular data

• Nonspatial and spatial data
• Joining and relating tables
• Common tasks

Project: Locate data

• Analysis process
• Define the question
• Procure relevant data
• Prepare data for analysis

Esri will provide the following software to use during class:

• ArcGIS 10.0 for Desktop (ArcInfo)
• ArcGIS 10.0 Spatial Analyst