High-precision 3D ground point positioning from IKONOS imagery.

Abstract

An investigation of the accuracy potential of IKONOS lm satellite imagery is reported. Two sensor orientation/triangulation models, the RPC models with bias compensation and the affine projection model, are applied to stereo- and three-image configurations of Geo imagery with the aim of achieving 3D geopositioning to sub-metre accuracy. Test results from the Melbourne IKONOS Testfield are reported and these show that with modest provision of quality ground control, IKONOS Geo imagery can yield 3D object point determination to an accuracy of 0.5m in planimetry and 0.7m in height. The accuracy achieved is not only consistent with expectations for rigorous sensor orientation models, but is also readily attainable in practice with only a small number of ground control points being required.