Airborne system for acquisition and post-processing of images taken with digital cameras

Abstract

With the evolution of digital sensors for the acquisition of images, the use of digital cameras has grown in photogrammetry, especially non-metric cameras, given that metric cameras are very expensive and present problems with image storage and management. Furthermore, if the non-metric cameras were properly calibrated, they could offer quality information, combined with the advantages they offer, such as flexibility regarding focusing interval. They are small, easy to use and their cost is low when compared with metric digital cameras. However, digital cameras have some limitations, such as the instability of the internal geometry of the camera (focal distance and position of the main subject) and the limited resolution of the CCD sensors. Case studies have shown that these problems can be circumvented, making it possible to use the full potential of this type of sensor for thematic, topographical and subscription mapping of small areas, with great flexibility compared to conventional aerial and orbital sensors. In this project it is intended to evaluate some alternatives and develop a methodology which permits the use of non-metric digital cameras for mapping. It is intended to study and implement a platform with two converging cameras and verify its applicability to mapping, taking into consideration the problems of instability of internal orientation parameters and image quality. (AU)