PE&RS October 1996

VOLUME 62, NUMBER 10
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING

Peer-Reviewed Articles

1145 The Sign Permutation in the Rotation Matrix and the Formulation of the Collinearity and Coplanarity Equations
Tian-Yuan Shih

Abstract
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Two basic variations arise in the formulation of the collinearity and coplanarity equations. These two variations are generally referred to as the diapositive equation and the negative equation. The relationship between these two formulations and the rotation matrices is investigated in this study. This study has revealed that the sign changes of principal distance in both the collinearity and coplanarity equations are coupled with the sign permutation of the elements in a rotation matrix. 

1151 Using Theoretical Intensity Values as Unknowns in Multiple-Patch Least-Squares Matching
Amnon Krupnik

Abstract
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Least-Squares Matching (LSM) has become a common technique for obtaining accurate location of corresponding points. On several occasions, the basic model was generalized to handle more than two image patches by introducing unknown theoretical intensity values into the mathematical model. With these additional unknowns, gray values rather than gray-value differences are used as observations. Two aspects of introducing such unknowns are discussed. The first aspect is the equivalence of the generalized model to the basic one. The second aspect is the efficiency of the solution. Experimental results are presented and discussed. 

1157 A Fast Solution to Local Viewshed Computation Using Grid-Based Digital Elevation Models
Jianjun Wang, Gary J. Robinson, and Kevin White

Abstract
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A new algorithm for generating viewsheds from grid-based digital elevation models is presented. It uses a combination of sightline analysis and the relationships between the local surfaces at the source and destination points. Depending on the nature of the terrain surface, significant savings in computation time over existing sightline only based algorithms are made because a substantial proportion of the destination points can be determined as invisible from the source point without the need for sightlines. The new algorithm also produces more reliable results by better consideration of points at or near the viewshed horizon. 

1165 Comparison of Derivative Topographic Surfaces of a DEM Generated from Stereoscopic SPOT Images with Field Measurements
Philip T. Giles and Steven E. Franklin

Abstract
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A digital elevation model (DEM) derived from SPOT satellite imagery is evaluated for accuracy in elevation and three of its derivative topographic surfaces: slope gradient, incidence value, and profile curvature. The raw DEM surface is observed to contain a systematic pattern of noise, and analysis of semivariance is used to determine an appropriate window size for filtering. Field measurements of slope gradient, incidence value, and profile curvature are used to evaluate the accuracy of the derivative surfaces. Several processing options are employed to maximize the correlation between the surface representations and the field data. Results emphasize the caution that must be used before using the digital elevation model and its derivative topographic surfaces as estimates of the true landscape configuration. 

1173 Geometric Correction of SPOT and Landsat Imagery: A Comparison of Map- and GPS-Derived Control Points
N.G. Kardoulas, A.C. Bird, and A.I. Lawan

Abstract
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The geometric correction of Landsat MSS (80-metre pixel), Landsat TM (30-metre pixel), and SPOT Panchromatic (10-metre pixel) satellite images was investigated using 1:100 000-scale topographic maps and GPS data in an area of Nigeria. The geometric corrections with first-degree polynomials, using either GPS- derived points or 1:100 000-scale topographic map derived points, yielded RMS error values on the order of plus or minus 35 metres for all three types of satellite image regardless of pixel size. The importance of employing independent check points for assessing the accuracy of the correction was demonstrated. 

1179 Cross-Validated Assessment of Geometric Accuracy
Kenneth C. McGwire

Abstract
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The recent emphasis on metadata standards must be accompanied by vigilance in unbiased reporting of geometric accuracy. A cross- validation technique is shown to be capable of providing more accurate estimates of geometric error than the traditional method of using transformation residuals when modest numbers of ground control points are available. This method also provides a much more accurate indication of the effects of choosing different polynomial orders. 

1189 Experiences with the Production of Digital Orthophotos
Joachim Höhle

Abstract
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Digital orthophotos increase the potential of land and geographic information systems considerably. In the workstations of these systems one can also produce digital orthophotos in black and white and color. Each step of the production process is illustrated in detail, and experience regarding the choice of parameters in the calculation programs is stated.