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Perfect Data Collection in Aerial Photogrammetry “8 Key Criteria”

In today’s digital age, the demand for high-quality aerial data is ever-increasing. Customers expect data that is accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced. Let’s delve into the tools and techniques that…
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Data Collection in Aerial Photogrammetry

In today’s digital age, the demand for high-quality aerial data is ever-increasing. Customers expect data that is accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced. Let’s delve into the tools and techniques that help both data producers and consumers achieve the best possible results.

What Defines Perfect Data in Aerial Photogrammetry?

The quest for perfect data is ongoing, but achieving 100% perfection is virtually impossible. However, our goal is to get as close as possible. Good data can be defined through several key criteria:

1) Completeness

We aim to collect, process, and deliver the most comprehensive datasets. However, various factors, such as weather, can impact data quality. For instance, clouds appearing in images can make datasets less usable.

Aerial Photogrammetry

To combat this, operators use real-time displays during flights to identify and mitigate issues immediately by adjusting the camera settings or even reflying the specific flight line while still in the air. In that way, full coverage of the AOI is guaranteed.

Photogrammetric Data Reliability

2) Data Reliability

Ensuring data integrity is crucial. During flights, data is redundantly stored, and consistency checks are performed during data transfer to rectify any discrepancies. This helps correct and reconstruct any faulty data. And finally, there are various options for outputting statistics and information about the data, such as reports, which can be used to document and verify the completeness of the data.

Photogrammetry Accuracy

3) Accuracy

Achieving high accuracy is a major focus. Our calibration labs in our three worldwide service centers are equipped with numerous markers for geometric calibration, complemented by radiometric calibration. Post-laboratory calibration, verification flights with specific patterns are conducted to ensure accuracy.

Photogrammetry camera calibration

4) Precision

Precision data involves consistently producing high-quality images. Our Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC) technique addresses various forms of motion blur and scale variations, ensuring always sharp, blur-free images.

Adaptive motion compensation

 

5) Correctness

Water surfaces can pose significant challenges in datasets, creating artifacts and distortions. Our innovative water handling approach involves automatically classifying water and non-water areas. This classification allows for targeted data processing, such as skipping water areas during DSM calculation to save computation time and avoid artifacts. Additionally, our UltraMap photogrammetry software estimates water height to ensure accurate and homogeneous orthomosaics, automatically improving data quality.

DSM water mask

6) Visual Quality

We offer extensive options to adjust images as needed. Depending on the application, different settings can be applied. For example, a scene captured under diffuse light with a thin cloud cover on the left shows no shadows, while the same scene under strong sunlight on the right has significant visible shadows. This example demonstrates that despite our many adjustment capabilities, certain initial conditions may prevent perfect image matching.

Photogrammetry Visual Quality

7) Universal Usage

Different applications require tailored data processing. Whether calculating NDVI with data that is as raw as possible or performing the automated detection of bridges with the option to include or exclude them from the final DTM, our UltraMap workflow allows for flexible and efficient data handling.

UltraMap photogrammetry software 2

UltraMap photogrammetry software 1

UltraMap photogrammetry software

8) Efficiency

Speed and cost-efficiency are vital. Our UltraCam system are tailored to different applications and our UltraMap software provides full flexibility to scale processing power and license modules as needed.

Conclusion

Achieving near-perfect data in photogrammetry involves meticulous attention to detail at every stage—from data collection and security to calibration and processing. By leveraging advanced techniques and flexible tools, we strive to meet the high expectations of our customers and deliver data of the highest possible quality.

At last, I would like to thank Bernhard Schachinger for his contributions.

2022 06 27 SD 3D PV Banner
Geoworld24
Surveyors UK

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