1 2004
GEOMETRIC MODELLING AND PHOTOGRAMMETRIC PROCESSING OF HIGH-
RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGERY
Xutong Niu, Jue Wang, Kaichang Di, Jin-Duk Lee, Ron Li
Mapping and GIS Laboratory, CEEGS, The Ohio State University
470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1275 USA
Email: {niu.9, di.2, wang.813, di.2, lee.2322, 1i.282} @osu.edu
Commission IV, WG IV/7
KEY WORDS: Photogrammetry, High Resolution, Adjustment, Accuracy, Orthoimage, DEM.
ABSTRACT:
The latest generation of high-resolution commercial imaging satellites, such as IKONOS and QuickBird, has opened a new era of earth
observation and digital mapping. This paper presents the geometric modeling principles and photogrammetric processing methods
involved in high-precision mapping using stereo IKONOS and QuickBird images. First, the imaging geometry and systematic errors in
the Rational Function-based sensor model are described. Then the results of a comparison study of IKONOS and QuickBird
geopositioning accuracy improvement in which different adjustment models, as well as different number and configuration of ground
control points, are presented. Results indicate that a simple adjustment model (e.g., Affine or Scale & Translation) is effective for
elimination of the systematic errors found in vendor-provided RFCs (Rational Function Coefficients) and for improvement of 3D
geopositioning accuracies to a 1-2m level for IKONOS images and a 0.6-1m level for QuickBird images. For coastal mapping purposes,
a semi-automatic 3D shoreline extraction method is proposed. In this method, a 2D shoreline is extracted by manual digitizing on one
QuickBird image; then corresponding shoreline points on the other image of the stereo pair are automatically extracted by image
matching. The 3D shoreline is computed using photogrammetric triangulation with the improved geometric model.
INTRODUCTION IKONOS and QuickBird image products. Table 2 shows some
technical specifications of IKONOS and QuickBird satellites
Since September: 24, 1999, when the IKONOS satellite was (Space Imaging, 2002 and DigitalGlobe, 2002).
successfully launched, high-resolution (meter to sub-meter pixel
resolution) satellite imagery have been rapidly incorporated into
the applications of municipal planning, transportation, mining, IKONOS QuickBird
remote area mapping, agriculture, environmental investigation Products | Accuracy Product Accuracy
and disaster response. Digital satellite imagery not only provides Geo 25.0m Basic l4 m
substantial high quality data for mapping, inventorying, Reference 11.8 m Standard 14m
monitoring, and surveying, but also allows for digital data Orthorectified
processing and interpretation. The latest generation of high- Pro 4.8 m (1:25,000) 7.7m
resolution commercial satellites, such as IKONOS and QuickBird, m Orthorectified
has opened a new era of earth observation and digital mapping. Precision 1.9 m (1:12,000) 6.2 m
This paper presents the geometric modeling principles and ET I depend on
photogrammetric processing methods involved in high-precision Precision 0.9 m Orthorectified qualities of
mapping using stereo IKONOS and QuickBird images. Plus (Customized) GCPs
Space Imaging Corporation provides IKONOS imagery with Table 1. Accuracies of IKONOS and QuickBird image products
different processing levels and corresponding positioning
BCOUIACY. These include the Geo, Reference, Pro Precision and Highly accurate image products, such as IKONOS Precision or
Precision Plus products (Space Imaging, 2002). The IKONOS QuickBird Orthorectified, cost much more thàn lower level
Imaging system simultaneously collects 0.8 meter-resolution products. Therefore, it is desirable to use the lower-cost image
nero panchromatic and 4 Helse multispectral images, P rovided products while achieving accuracies comparable to those of the
by DigitalGlobe Inc., QuickBird Imagery. the highest-resolution more expensive ones. A number of investigations on the accuracy
satellite imagery^ now commercially available. The QuickBird attainable by various methods of photogrammetric processing of
imaging system simultaneously collects 67-72 centimeter- IKONOS and QuickBird imagery have been reported (Li, 1998;
resolution stereo panchromatic and 2.44-2.88 meter multi-spectral Zhou and Li, 2000; Tao and Hu, 2001; Fraser and Hanley, 2003:
images. Using different processing levels, DigitalGlobe provides Toutin, 2003). An overview of IKONOS mapping accuracy is
«re es a N Are see See RR given in Grodecki and Dial (2001). However, there is a need for
ic, standard, and orthorectified image products (Digita , additional literature on the processing and geopositioning analysis
2002). Table 1 lists the associated accuracies of different of QuickBird imagery.
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