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cameras have been used successfully used all over the world in
photogrammetric production during last decades.
Nowadays, one question becomes more and more frequent in
the photogrammetric field: “Is the transition from classic
methods to fully digital workflows possible in close future?”
With the goal of being a direct replacement for film-based
aerial mapping cameras, Z/I Imaging developed its Digital
Modular Camera (DMC). In order to achieve the necessary
level of resolution, the DMC had to meet the demands of both
large- and small-scale mapping. The new camera system also
had to perform under various light conditions with a wide range
of exposure times. In order to meet these challenging
requirements, Z/I Imaging determined that only by employing
CCD frame (matrix) sensor technology could these rigorous
goals be met. Electronic FMC is necessary for acquiring a blur-
free image under large-scale mapping conditions. A large
sensor area along the flight strip allows long exposure times
while maintaining a high enough air speed for a photo flight
with a fixed wing aircraft at low altitudes. Finally, because of
the two-dimensional area sensor, the image data has a known
and precise geometry in X and Y. Thus, even though it would
have been less complex and more economical, these
requirements simply cannot be fulfilled by a line "pushbroom")
sensor. Such technologies are most suited for very high-altitude,
lower-resolution missions such as satellite imaging systems.
Since the output image of the DMC is a standard perspective
image, the system can be used to feed all current digital image-
processing systems. Conventional manual and automatic
aerotriangulation (AT) systems can be employed, making the
use of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) an option rather
than a requirement.
With the introduction of Airborne Sensor Management System
(ASMS), Z/I Imaging streamlines the photo flight operation.
ASMS enables customers to combine the power of the Flight
Management System (FMS) with selectable Sensor Control
Modules (SCMs) for improving efficiency in photo flights.
ASMS allows users to interface with and control a wide variety
of sensors, such as the Digital Modular Camera (DMC), RMK
Top, LMK, RC30, gyroscopic-stabilized mount T-AS and
various GPS/INS systems. With ASMS, hardware
configurations are simplified by integrating separate modules
into one rack-mountable cabinet. ASMS is a collection of
hardware and software components designed to help customers
streamline their workflow.
2.2 Systems for high-precision photogrammetric scanning
For the purpose of enabling use of photographs in digital
workflow, Intergraph offers ^ proven high-precision
photogrammetric scanning solutions to meet today’s production
digital scanning needs. PhotoScan scanners provide superior
quality and precision and give most accurate images. PhotoScan
systems incorporate scanning technology developed by Zeiss, a
world leader in optics and mechanical systems.
The AutoScan software for automatic, unattended scanning of
uncut original film rolls significantly increases the productivity.
2.3 Digital photogrammetric workstations
Other area of the digital photogrammetric workflow is the
exploitation of the digital images. This includes the
measurement and orientation, and triangulation workflows, 3D
exploitation of photogrammetric data and further image
processing workflows. Especially the area of
measurement/orientations and 3D exploitation puts high
requirements on fast stereoscopic displaying and panning of
huge digital image data and precise digitizing. ImageStation
2002 as aresult of more than 20 years of softcopy
photogrammetric technology, built on three generations of
digital production systems — InterMap Analytic, InterMap
ImageStation, and ImageStation Z, meets these demands by
offering the most powerful graphic accelerators in the market,
fast storage devices and precise pointing device, keeping in
mind ergonometric aspects and best operator's comfort.
As a cost-effective supplement to ImageStation systems,
Intergraph offers ImageStation Stereo Softcopy Kit (SSK).
ImageStation SSK is a matched kit of hardware and software
that allows the users to turn their own PC into a digital
stereoplotter, running the same software as our ImageStation
line of workstations.
2.4 Software solutions
Together with digital photogrammetric workstations, Intergraph
also delivers complete software suite for digital
photogrammetric data processing and powerful imaging
applications. The digital photogrammetric solutions
comprehend the software for project and data management,
scanning, orientations and triangulation, feature collection,
digital terrain model generation, orthophotos generation and
mosaicking and last, not least, the TerraShare software family
for storage and e-commerce.
Intergraph solutions meet the requirements of today’s digital
production by means of supporting open standards for data
exchange, like JPEG 2000 image compression algorithm. On
the other hand, the support for third-party data is not left out of
consideration. The last development efforts bring the native
support for ADS40 airborne digital sensor of Leica Geosystems.
Using Intergraph solutions, the complete workflow including
orientation and triangulation, feature and DTM collection and
orthophoto production is now feasible not only for airborne
digital sensors like DMC and ADS40, but also for the latest
spaceborne sensors like Ikonos, QuickBird, Landsat 7, SPOT 5
and IRS.
Industry results indicate that today's versions of automatic
aerial triangulation (AAT) applications have limitations on
automatic tie point extraction as well as other weaknesses, like
handling technological advancements such as GPS/INS. Z/I
Imaging addresses this problem with its new ISAT software.
ISAT revolutionizes the automated triangulation process.
ImageStation OrthoPro is a high-throughput orthoproduction
system that includes ortho project planning, rectification,
tonebalancing, mosaicking, and quality assessment. OrthoPro
has the ability to automatically input data from different
projections and datums and integrate them into one mapping
project. ImageStation OrthoPro is integrated into GeoMedia,
Intergraph ~~ Corporation’s premiere GIS display and
manipulation environment, which supports easy interaction with