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4. ADVANCES IN CORE TECHNOLOGIES
As stated in the introduction, the level of synergism created
by enhanced, widely-affordable, computer capabilities and
the integration of photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS,
GPS and related technologies has fostered an environment
for new applications and expanding routine use of the
technologies. Recent advances in photogrammetric appli-
cations are primarily in the fields of softcopy photogram-
metry and GPS photogrammetry.
Over the last several years, softcopy photogrammetry has
achieved operational status in numerous organizations,
both private and governmental. Advances in several areas
of hardware and software development have combined to
produce commercial softcopy mapping systems that meet
the needs of users with various accuracy and performance
requirements, at varying cost levels. These advances in-
clude:
- Improved geometric and radiometric scanner resolu-
tion and accuracy.
- The availability of scanners of different optical and
mechanical characteristics that cover a wide range of
price/performance ratios.
- Significant advances in softcopy photogrammetric
workstation performance. This field has been one of
the main beneficiaries of the incredible gains in raw
workstation CPU performance and storage capacity
seen everywhere in the computer industry.
- Ongoing improvements in softcopy software, both in
terms of user interface, as well as algorithmic capabili-
ties.
Of great interest for the future will be the increased use of
direct digital imagery from a variety of sensors, including
those on board the new very high resolution digital Earth
orbiting satellites. In addition, research will focus on the
area of image compression, storage, and distribution across
the Internet. Interest will also focus on further develop-
ments in the fields of feature extraction and object recogni-
tion.
The last five years have seen GPS photogrammetry evolve
from a process requiring very specialized expertise and
execution to a more robust and operational technology.
Much of the operational improvement can be attributed to
the cooperative relationship between the various user groups
and vendor communities. What were major obstacles to
implementation a few years ago have been simplified or
eliminated through improvements in hardware, software,
and system integration. The use of GPS in the aerial
photogrammetric process, with the subsequent reduction or
elimination of ground control, is now considered by many
to be routine. Specific improvements include:
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996
- Greatly enhanced GPS satellite coverage.
- Higher performance and lower cost GPS receivers.
- Widespread implementation of On-The-Fly integer
resolution software, reducing the need for continuous
lock during long flights.
- Better integration between photogrammetric cameras
and GPS receivers.
- more robust enduser GPS processing software, with
enhanced usability.
- Improved bundle adjustment software that takes full
advantage of GPS parameters.
The scope of GPS photogrammetry has lately broadened to
include the integration of sensors other than aerial cameras,
and the integration of inertial navigation systems in addition
to GPS. The scope of application is also no longer restricted
to airborne platforms, as ground-based mobile mapping
systems, which utilize some of the same principles as the
airborne systems, become operational. There is every rea-
son to expect that the application of GPS to all aspects of
photogrammetry will continue to increase in the next five
years.
“Geographic information systems (GIS) allow decision-
makers to analyze complex spatial inter-relationships be-
tween variables that affect a particular problem. It is
important to note such systems not only facilitate more
timely, efficient, and cost-effective decision-making, they
also foster better decision-making since they enable users to
conduct unique, and otherwise often infeasible, analytic
tasks.” These words written by James Merchant and Wil-
liam Ripple in the forward of the first annual GIS edition of
PE&RS in October of 1987 are even more appropriate today
as the use of GIS continues to grow exponentially and the
technology evolves to help us answer increasingly complex
resource management questions. Developing and enhanc-
ing interfaces with other technologies such as remote sens-
ing and global positioning systems is also of primary impor-
tance.
Remote sensing and GPS technologies, while important in
stand-alone applications, also have become critical data
sources for new photogrammetric and GIS applications.
Less costly, more portable, highly accurate and fully inte-
grated GPS systems have become widely used and provide
the accurate and precise locational information for photo-
grammetric, remote sensing and GIS applications. The
potential availability of a constellation of high resolution
commercial satellites is an exciting and important advance-
ment for the remote sensing community. The proposed
capabilities of one meter plus resolution with some combi-
nation of multispectral and/or panchromatic and/or stereo
imagery advances these systems into new photogrammetric
and GIS applications. These applications, coupled with the
advances in GPS-linked aircraft platforms with digital cam-
eras, scanners or video systems, presents a wide range of
options for performing high resolution applications that had
