ASSESSMENT OF ULTRACAMD PERFORMANCE IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT – CASE STUDY IN LIBYA

Abstract. Large format digital aerial cameras are now in widespread commercial operation. Despite the advantages of the new cameras over their traditional film counterparts, systematic image errors have been observed in all existing large format digital cameras. Organizations such as the USGS and EuroSDR have therefore focused efforts on calibration, validation and certification of digital camera systems. However, to-date, few studies have assessed the effects of extreme temperature and humidity variations on these camera systems, and the potential for self-calibration in this respect. This research addresses these issues through investigation of the UltraCamD, with test data acquired over a range of climatic zones in Libya. This presentation will report the preliminary results of self-calibration using a bundle block adjustment for an UltraCamD system, based upon aerial data acquired for two test sites during a single field campaign. The datasets were flown at two different flying heights and incorporate differing block geometries. A SOCET SET (v5.4.1) digital photogrammetric workstation was used to triangulate the imagery with investigation of different tie point densities. Following this, a self-calibrating bundle block adjustment was performed using the BLUH software provided by the University of Hannover. Initial testing investigated the influence of tie point density and different coordinate systems and datums on the bundle adjustment results. Further testing was then performed within BLUH in order to determine the optimal set of additional parameters, compensating for systematic image errors and impact upon object space coordinates of independent check points and ground control points.