n
Independent models are widely used, for data acquisition by
analogue instruments and as computational units for strip- and
blockadjustment. Also the fully analytical methods for aerial
triangulation and comparators are increasingly applied. We wit-
ness a second phase of development of analytical photogramme-
try.
Surprisingly enough, some essential practical questions have
still not been thoroughly investigated, in spite of increased
application of aerial triangulation. For instance, comparison
of mono- and stereocomparators is left pending, although there
is a tendency towards monocomparators, evidently for elemen-
tary financial reasons. There are few studies only on the de-
termination and the accuracy of perspective centres of analogue
instruments. Some investigations treat the problem of point
transfer. Amongst them interesting suggestions have been sub-
mitted for omitting artificial point marking altogether. Such
practical problems remain recommended for further research,
including the possibilities offered by analytical plotters.
There are also remarkably few new developments concerning
computer programs for blockadjustment. New programs have been
presented which essentially follow the principles and strate-
gies well known from the previous period. Apart from the spe-
cially important program development for selfcalibrating block-
triangulation with additional parameters (see section 2.3)
some modifications of established methods can be mentioned,
Such as the joint 7 parameter solution for independent models,
the combined adjustment of plate coordinates and of model coor-
dinates in one block, or the "bundle-model" method by which
bundles are treated by spatial similarity transformation. As
to the joint adjustment of photogrammetric and terrestrical
data improved algorithms have been developed for efficiently
structuring normal equations. Applications have remained rather
limited, however.
There are many references about tendencies to treat blockad-
justments by mini-computers. A number of such programs are in
use, implying however considerable limitations. A general
breakthrough of mini-computers in aerial triangulation seems
not to have been achieved up to now. Rather, regular practical
blockadjustments with large or medium capacity computers have
been highly successful in many organisations. Nevertheless,
implementation of blockprograms on small size computers remains
an essential task. Success can be expected since the technolo-
gical development of computers has removed previous limitations.
The polynomial method of strip- and blockadjustment has been
widely used during the past decade, notwithstanding some theo-
retical objections. It continues to be applied because of the
computer programs in operation, although it is gradually re-
placed by more rigorous. and generally applicable methods of
blocktriangulation. Thorough theoretical investigations into
the accuracy of polynomial methods of block-adjustment are
still lacking. However, empirical tests have clarified their
accuracy performance in many respects and compared with other
methods. Especially the high accuracy of polynomial strip-
adjustment has been confirmed for the standard arrangement of
control.