Precision product generation using satellite data and GPS based ground control points


Need for Precision Products
Definitive orbit and attitude information are used for standard products generation. The overall accuracy of the standard products comes to + 1.5 km. For the digital database generation in GIS environment the most significant aspect lies in the geometric accuracy. The information derived from different sources should have geometric compatibility to establish one-to-one correspondence. This will facilitate overlaying, merging, integrating various information and form the basis for further analysis. The inherent error in the standard product unless corrected will create problems in seamless integration of digital database and in turn generation of precise developmental action plans.

Table No. 1 Error Budget Analysis in Generating Precision Products
S.No ParameterDigitizer basedScanner basedGPS based
1 Inherent map accuracy 12.5 12.5 -
2 Projection error 2.0 2.0 2.0
3 Map-digitizer transformation error 25.0 - -
4 Image-map transformation error 30.0 15.0 -
5 Error in the tiling of reference maps - 6.0 -
6 GPS receiver positioning at the GCP - - 2.0
7 Baseline accuracy - - 1.0
8 Image-GCP transformation error - - 12.0
 Total error in meters (Approximate) 65 – 75 35 – 45 15 – 20

Methods of Generating Precision Products The desired accuracy required at 1:50000 scale may be of the order of 1mm of the map units i.e. less than 50 meters on ground. Using precise ground control points, the desired geometric accuracy of the satellite data products can be achieved. The number and distribution of ground control points and the order of transformation model will influence the accuracy of the geometric correction.

The three basic methods adopted for acquiring GCPs are Digitizer based Method, Scanner Based Method and GPS Based Method. Digitizer based method is a two-step approach. At the first level map-digitizer model is established and this will facilitate transformation of digitizer coordinates to map coordinates. At the second level, image-map model is established to facilitate one-to-one correspondence between image and ground coordinates.

Similarly, scanner based method is also a two step approach. At the first level map-gratic model is established and this will facilitate tiling of maps with respect to well defined graticules. At the second level, image-map model is established to facilitate one-to-one correspondence between image and ground coordinates.

In contrast to the above two methods, GPS based method is a single step approach, wherein a transformation model is established between the post processed coordinates of the GCPs and image coordinates.

Study Area & Data used
The study area is located in and around Bhisi, Chimur Taluk, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The study area is 70 km away from Nagpur and lies in between 79 0 15’ and 79 0 30’ Eastern longitudes and 20 0 30’ and 20 0 45’ Northern latitudes. The IRS 1C LISS III (100-58) and PAN (100-58-A) data of the corresponding area are used for generating precision products. The corresponding reference maps of 55P/6 on 1:50000 and 1:25000 scale are also used. Single frequency geodetic GPS receivers are used for GPS observations.

Methodology
The three methods discussed above are used to generate precision products. In the first method 1:25000 reference maps are mounted on the digitizer one at a time and individual map-digitizer models are established. All the graticule intersections are used as reference points and a second order transformation model is established. This serves as a basis for establishing image-map transformation model using well-defined and well-distributed GCPs

In the second method, the reference maps are scanned and tiled with reference to the predefined graticule base using a transformation model. This serves as a basis for establishing image-map transformation model using well defined and well distributed GCPs With the advent of scanner technology, this method has become more popular and widely used globally.

In the method using GPS, the first task will be establishment of a reference point with accurate coordinates. A permanent monument is constructed with well-defined marking on a brass plate. The ornamentation point is observed for a continuous 72 hours using dual frequency geodetic GPS receiver. Using Bernese software, the observations are processed in differential mode using post-processing data. The precise coordinate of the ornamentation point is arrived at with reference to the five permanent stations of WGS 84 datum with long baselines of the order of 2000 kms. The accuracy achieved for this coordinate is of the order of 0.02 ppm.

Around 16 well-defined and well-distributed GCPs are identified on the image as well as on the map. Reconnaissance survey is carried out to identify the local reference station. The study area is around 70 km away from this reference station. A reference point is established in the centre of the study area by taking continuous observations for a period of eight hours in differential mode with reference to monumenation point.

The baseline vector is computed and the absolute coordinates of the reference point are arrived at. At each of the GCP locations, 2-hour GPS observation is carried out. The GPS data is post processed using SKI L1 software in differential mode to arrive at the absolute coordinates of the GCPs.

A transformation model is established between these coordinates and the corresponding image coordinates. Using this model, satellite data is georeferenced.


Page 2 of 3
| Previous | Next |