OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF DIGITAL AERIAL MAPPING CAMERAS 
K. J. Neumann 
Z/1 Imaging GmbH Ulmer Str. 124 73431 Aalen, Germany Klaus.Neumann@intergraph.com 
Commision I, WG 1/6 
KEY WORDS: Acquisition, Operation, Camera, CCD, Platforms, Sensor, Aerial, Digital 
ABSTRACT: 
With the introduction of the new aerial digital mapping cameras, the operational aspects for aerial photo flight projects will change. 
New task, like digital image data handling and data copy in the filed will be implemented into the workflow. Instead of a film, 
digital data will be shipped and archived. The camera operators and the crew have to get familiar with the new work steps. The Z/I 
Imaging DMC Digital Mapping Camera System is used as an example to explain the operational procedures and the data workflow. 
To set up a proper mission planning the required GSD ground sampling distance has to be determined. Referring to the traditional 
film camera, this is a combination of photo scale and scanning resolution. 
After a photo flight mission the digital film has to be developed. The airborne mass storage device with the raw image data will be 
removed from the aircraft to the office, where the image data post processing will take place. If the crew is away from the home base 
on an outbound mission and has no access to the post processing workstation, the image data will be copied from the airborne mass 
storage device to a different media, like removable hard disk drives or tapes. The handling of this process has to be full automatic to 
reduce time and costs and to reduce the stress for the crew. To get the camera ready for the next mission as quickly as possible is an 
important factor. The data copy can either be done in the aircraft or in the hangar or hotel room. 
The digital cameras are offering new possibilities for on-site quality checks. A first image data quality evaluation can be done in the 
air during the mission. Especially for areas with air space restrictions this will be a big time and cost saver. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
With the introduction of the new aerial digital mapping 
cameras, the workflow for aerial photo flights will change 
comparing to the traditional way with film based analog 
cameras. Also the way to specify surveying flight project will 
change from photo scale to ground sampling distance. This is 
a challenge for the camera operators and for the project 
managers. New skills will be required to deal with the mass 
of digital image data. Image archiving will require new 
technologies and strategies. This paper will explain the new 
methodology and workflow using the Z/I Imaging Digital 
Mapping Camera DMC as an example. 
2. FLIGHT PLANING 
Usually the photo flight starts with the mission planning. A 
digital mapping camera thinks in ground samples distance 
(GSD) or ground resolution and not in photo scale. The 
flying height, the focal length and the pixel size of the CCD 
sensors are the parameter used for the calculation. For frame 
based cameras like the DMC, side overlap and forward 
overlap for stereo coverage follow basically the same rules 
like for film cameras. Because there is no consuming 
material used, like for the film cameras, we will see more 
projects planned with higher overlaps like 95% / 80%. For 
true orthophoto generation especially in urban areas this high 
overlaps will be used more and more. 
  
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Identifier 
Planning Date 104: 
Company Name 3 
Client Name NI 
Project Name Sarı 
Project Number 020 
Full Area Name San 
Aircraft Type Nav 
Aircraft Reg. H18 
Pilot Rog 
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Flying Height 259v 
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Figure 1 Flight project overview 
ISMP ImageStation Mission Planning software is a modern 
tool for photo flight mission planing, based on MicroStation, 
raster backdrops can be displayed to support the user. The 
ISMP software is a stand alone product, but it is also part of 
the DMC system. 
  
     
    
     
   
  
  
     
     
   
  
  
  
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
     
    
   
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
   
   
   
   
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