GIndoor Positioning G Cornwalls Mining World Heritage Site

GBentley BE INSPIRED 2010 G Airborne Digital Frame Cameras

Magaz i ne f or Sur veyi ng, Mappi ng & GI S Pr of es s i onal s
December 2010
Volume 13
8
On Technology and Market
Adaption
The end of the year is always a good a moment to look back and also to look forward. Not
only to see how things have changed, but also how they will change. For many, 2010 will
be a year that was still a time for financial recovery. In a market where less is invested,
theres not as much need for new products but rather a need to postpone investments until
later. Apart from this, trade shows such as Intergeo produced a lot of surprises. Overall, the
idea of managing the whole chain of data capture to a finished end product (whether its a
map or a web mapping service) seems to take flight more and more. The major acquisition
of Intergraph by Hexagon is an example of this.
In the New Year, I expect that a lot of things that have been discussed this year will happen
on a larger scale than in 2010. Although I heard and read a lot about the fusion between
imagery and GIS, I am still waiting to see this being adopted by the market. The techniques
are there, now it seems its time for the market to pick up on them. The same goes for the
fusion between GIS and the mobile platform, not just for data capture but the smart phone
too. Will location business, become big business? And who will lead here, the people who
really understand geospatial or the telecom industry?
Another topic that was discussed everywhere in the geospatial media was cloud computing.
Although at the moment its impact isnt yet that big, it seems its a topic that should be
noticed in the long run. Maybe this technology is a bit too far ahead when looking at the
adoption of the GIS platform that consists of mobile, desktop and server technology. I could
be wrong, but I have a feeling that market adaptation of server technology is still a bit slow,
and the full potential of Web GIS has not been reached. Here, we are touching on the IT
side of GIS, a very interesting but nonetheless technical topic.
Lastly, Id like to say something about the profession and the GIS worker. With the industry
changing so fast, its obvious that someone who works in this field has to change too. Since
its not always clear where the road is leading, this can be both challenging and /or tricky,
but it seems to me that this is something the industry shares with the job market of today.
Keeping oneself informed through media is indispensible and I am sure this magazine gives
a broad and informative overview of whats happening today and tomorrow.
Enjoy your reading!
Eric van Rees
evanrees@geoinformatics.com
GeoInformatics is the leading publication for Geospatial
Professionals worldwide. Published in both hardcopy
and digital, GeoInformatics provides coverage, analysis
and commentary with respect to the international
surveying, mapping and GIS industry.
GeoInformatics is published 8 times a year.
Editor-in-chief
Eric van Rees
evanrees@geoinformatics.com
Copy Editor
Frank Arts
fartes@geoinformatics.com
Editors
Florian Fischer
ffischer@geoinformatics.com
Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk
hlekkerkerk@geoinformatics.com
Remco Takken
rtakken@geoinformatics.com
Joc Triglav
jtriglav@geoinformatics.com
Contributing Writers:
Joc Triglav, Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk, Somnath Ghosal,
Nan Lin, Iain Cross, Ruud Groothuis, Lawrie Jordan,
Adam Spring, Caradoc Peters, Justin Barton,
Gordon Petrie, Remco Takken, Wayne Smith
Financial Director
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ygroenhof@geoinformatics.com
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December 2010
SARMAN: Search & Rescue
Management
The Sarman system provides a search management tool based upon the
established search theory rules, asset management and full in-field
tracking of assets. This unique software firmly places Mountain Rescue
England & Wales at the forefront of Search technology.
C o n t e n t
Articles
Search & Rescue Management
SARMAN 6
LBS on the Inside
Indoor Positioning 10
For Handling INSPIRE-compliant Data
The Role of Open Source Software 16
The Story continued
GIS and Imagery 24
A Re-Evaluation
Cornwalls Mining World Heritage Site 28
Managing Railway Network with Geospatial Solution
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana 32
As Displayed at the Intergeo 2010 Exhibition
Current Developments in Airborne
Digital Frame Cameras 34
Advanced Spatial Analysis
GeoMedia 3D 48
Events
Converge, Connect and Collaborate
Trimble 5th International User Conference 14
Italy, INSPIRE and Imagery
Esri EMEA User Conference 2010 42
BE INSPIRED 2010
3D to Mobile to Integrated Data Model 44
Calendar 50
Advertisers Index 50
Page 6
Current Developments in Airborne Digital
Frame Cameras
The continuous rapid development of digital imaging technology
resulted in numerous airborne digital frame cameras being shown at
the Intergeo 2010 trade fair. For the airborne photogrammetric and
mapping community, the many new or improved frame cameras that
were on display in the exhibition formed a real highlight of the event.
4
Page 34
December 2010
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
5
On the Cover:
James Needham, Faro UK, operating the Faro Photon 120 Phase Shift
Scanner. See article on page 28.
Esri EMEA User Conference 2010
With 1500 visitors, the Esri EMEA User Conference is becoming larger and
larger. This year's event was held in Rome, Italy. During 26-28th of October,
the Ergife Palace Hotel was the stage for three days of keynotes and
presentations of Esri users and partners.
BE Inspired 2010
Top users of Bentley software get invited to participate in the BE Inspired
Awards 2010. Interesting, innovative and sometimes mindboggling projects
fight for their moment of fame.
Page 46
Page 42
Page 28
December 2010
SARMAN
Search & Rescue Management
Background
When people think of search management, they readily visualise lines
of people searching across fields. Well that is all part of it, certainly
for searchers, but search theory dates back sixty years to work under-
taken by B.O. Koopman for the US Navy to search for enemy ships
and submarines. Nowadays this theory has developed and evolved
into its modern equivalent that is not only used for missing or lost
person search, but by mining and oil companies searching for min-
eral and petroleum deposits and in fact, the principles can be applied
across many industries where search principles are utilised. The
application of search theory assists in finding anything that is lost,
missing, hidden or even evasive.
Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW)
For MREW the essence of the practical application of search man-
agement is mapping. Ten years ago paper mapping was prevalent
6
Ar t i cl e
This article presents the development and the basic functionalities of the Sarman system, a Search & Rescue Management
Solution designed by Mapyx, a GIS Company, in conjunction with Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW).
The Sarman system provides a search management tool based upon the established search theory rules, asset
management and full in-field tracking of assets. This unique software firmly places Mountain Rescue England & Wales
at the forefront of Search technology.
By Joc Triglav
December 2010
but as digital mapping became more accessible, MREW transitioned
to digital mapping systems. In 2009, MREW identified that their exist-
ing digital mapping was limited and sought to find a better mapping
solution. After extensive research and analysis, MREW found Mapyx
and specifically the digital mapping system branded Mapyx QUO.
After testing, MREW was convinced that this was the best product
for its needs and rolled it out to all of its 3500 members.
However, even with the best mapping solution, there was limited
functionality in terms of search management. And thats where it all
started for Sarman; MREW would provide the search know-how, train-
ing and information, and Mapyx would provide the technological
skills, programme and finance to develop a world leading system.
The brief was established in October 2009 and a mere six weeks
later the concept had
evolved into a very early
Alpha working pro-
gramme. In May 2010,
the Sarman system had
been fully field tested by
MREW and was released
to all Teams.
What is Sarman
The Sarman system is a fully integrated solution to search manage-
ment encompassing software (both desktop and mobile) and hard-
ware elements, such as GPS devices, Data Loggers, Satellite Trackers,
etc.
The system is not prescriptive, but permits complete flexibility to
use the system at various levels from the simple use of digital maps
with concentric circles of probability for detecting missing or lost
persons to complex search management, scenario analysis, consen-
sus, asset management and live tracking of all assets in the field.
Further, the system permits the use of various statistical models to
suit the user and geography.
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
7
December 2010
Peter Bell, President of Mountain Rescue England and
Wales:
Mapyx has worked tirelessly to fine-tune their QUO digital map-
ping software to encompass the operational demands of a moun-
tain rescue environment and to develop its new Sarman software.
Linked to, indeed part of, this advanced facility, they have similar-
ly fine-tuned their Sarman system to operate with various commu-
nications platforms, which will provide the integrated, on scene,
partner to the Mapyx search and rescue management applications.
QUO and Sarman software coupled with approved hand-held
devices are not, however, restricted to search and rescue opera-
tions. This combination will, I am convinced, provide a most valu-
able adjunct to safety, whatever the environment.
Ewan Thomas, National Water Officer of MREW:
Mapyx has been an excellent development partner for the project
to provide MR teams with class leading search planning and man-
agement software. The Sarman application has been developed
from first principles to provide an incident management system
that is fully integrated into the Quo digital mapping platform. The
powerful combination of Quo, the Mapyx tracking system and
Sarman will make a significant contribution to search and rescue
planning and incident management in England and Wales.
Mark Lewis, the Communications Officer for MREW:
Digital mapping has been a project weve been investigating for
some time and the wait has certainly paid off in choosing Mapyx
as a partner to supply a solution to our specification at no cost.
Since our first meeting with Mapyx I have never looked back. Every
recognised team and member of Mountain Rescue England & Wales
will benefit from the Quo package receiving a free copy with asso-
ciated maps. This is a great achievement for MREW to enable a
common GIS platform to be available across England & Wales
and without teams having to spend any of their limited funds.
Ann Ogden, Calder Valley SRT:
...provides controllers, search managers and mountain rescue in
general, with information promptly, accurately and at a standard
that is easily used by all.
Jon Whiteley, Devon CRO:
A milestone for mountain and cave rescue teams, both in nation-
al issue and partnership working.
Ian Clemmett, Penrith MRT:
The Sarman system neatly combines a number of SAR manage-
ment tools into one place. It will help us monitor our assets and
keep clear and consistent records particularly welcome in the
often complex multi-team searches of the North Pennines.
Creating an incident where all the first response and planning information
is added.
Overview of the incident information in Sarman.
All the critical information is drawn on the map
with two tabs on right and left showing
additional information about tasks and teams.
Underneath there is a log window for inputting
any information to be logged for future
investigative or decision making purposes.
Input Hasty Teams
information and tasks.
Main Features
The system is designed to permit Search Management as a process,
including:
Creation of an incident whether a missing person, or a casualty
evacuation.
Drawing routes and adding waypoints to define specific tasks and
information.
Adding content such as photographs, videos, word documents or
in fact any type of file.
Drawing of search areas and codification for ease of reporting.
Asset management for the allocation and management of person-
nel and equipment.
Consensus calculations based on three methods.
Probability tracking and search time calculator to provide typical
search times in a variety of terrain and conditions.
Automated and bespoke reporting facilities.
A Communications Module to permit live-tracking of assets via
GPRS/GSM, Satellite, GPS Radio Mic and new modules for Tetra,
Airwave and APRS can be added.
A Data Log to add key information.
A black box recorder to ensure that all data is time stamped and
can be played back as necessary.
The above described Search Management process is visually present-
ed with some screenshot examples in this article.
Latest Development
Today, the system is used by all MREW Teams, the Search & Rescue
Dog Association, the British Cave Rescue Council, the Royal Air Force
Mountain Rescue Teams and Teams in the Association of Lowland Search
& Rescue. Nevertheless, Sarman continues to evolve and new modules
are being developed as new demands from new users are added.
Further, there is a River Tool and Flood Management Tool under devel-
opment and discussions of Missing Pilot and Missing Aircraft Modules.
In the last five months since the initial release of Sarman, word spread
rapidly and other organisations jumped on board. Today Mapyx is:
Mountain Rescue England & Wales Official GIS & Digital Mapping
Partner.
The Official GIS & Digital Mapping Partner of the British Cave Rescue
Council.
The Exclusive Official Digital Mapping Partner of:
o Search & Rescue Dog Association of England.
o Search & Rescue Dog Association of Wales.
o Search & Rescue Dog Association of South Wales.
o Search & Rescue Dog Association of the Lakes.
o Association of Lowland Search & Rescue.
Official MOD Supplier.
o Supplier of Mapyx systems to the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue
Teams.
o Supplier to RAF Air Defence & Air Traffic Systems.
In fact, many organisations in the UK involved in search practices are
looking at the system and international interest has come from as far
afield as the US, Canada and New Zealand. More information about the
use of Sarman by MREW can be found at:
www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/media-centre/the-oracle/section-4-communications
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvuzDfRT2iA&feature=player_embedded
www.mapyx.com/mediarelations/SARMAN.pdf
Joc Triglav jtriglav@geoinformatics.comis GeoInformatics editor. Special thanks
to Mapyx Ltd. and MREW teams for their help and enthusiasm. Questions can be
sent to info@mapyx.comor Mapyx can be contacted on +44 208 972 1556.
8
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
The Second stage of planning is drawing the search areas.
Track and Monitor progress and probability of Search Areas, which provides
valuable information to the Search Team.
The Tracker tool enables tracking of all the assets in the field, showing locations
on the map and key information.
3D View Tool Provides 3-D visualisation.
LBS on the Inside
Indoor Positioning
Now that everyone is getting accustomed to Location Based Services (LBS) such as Layar, people start to wonder why they
need to be outside to make use of these kinds of services. Then again, just about everybody has experienced at some
point in time that their GPS devices do not work in tunnels or indoors. So how can we make LBS a success indoors as well
as outdoors? An overview of possibilities.
By Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk
Now that everyone is getting accustomed to
Location Based Services (LBS) such as Layar,
people start to wonder why they need to be
outside to make use of these kinds of ser-
vices. Then again, just about everybody has
experienced at some point in time that their
GPS devices do not work in tunnels or
indoors. So how can we make LBS a success
indoors as well as outdoors? An overview of
possibilities.
Before discussing specific devices and sensors
it is good to take a step back and have a look
at what positioning really involves. In the posi-
tioning industry there are, in general, two
types of measurements that will lead to a posi-
tion using one of three basic methodologies.
The two types of measurement are either
angular measurement or distance measure-
ment leading to the techniques called angular
positioning, range-range positioning and
range-bearing positioning.
An example of range-range positioning is GPS
which uses distances between satellites and
receiver for determining location. A common
method of range-bearing positioning is the use
of the Total Station in land survey. Angular
positioning used to be the most basic form of
positioning using theodolite or sextant but is
rarely practiced nowadays.
Why not GPS?
The easiest solution to indoor positioning
would be GPS, so how come this does not
work. The answer is relatively simple and can
be divided into two parts. The first is that GPS
is 'line of sight'; due to the frequencies used
(1100 - 1500 MHz) these systems can only
transmit along a visible path between satellite
(transmitter) and receiver. The second is that
the power involved in GPS transmissions is rel-
atively low and therefore the signal is easily
blocked by thicker structures such as buildings,
tunnels and even leaf canopies. But, I hear you
say, what about the fact that my receiver is
capable of receiving the satellites while
indoors. The answer to that is manufacturers
know this problem, so they make the receivers
more sensitive so that they can receive weak-
ened signals. Also, new satellites broadcast at
slightly higher power giving more chances of
indoor reception. This all sounds very nice, and
definitely helps when under a leaf canopy but
that only solves the power problem. The main
problem is when inside a building the struc-
ture itself is still thick enough to block the sig-
nals. In short, most signals received indoors
10
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Using Navizon iphone app for retrieving a lost
cell phone using WiFi positioning
(source: www.techhail.com)
Trials with Leica Locata system using pseudolites / localites in an open mine pit
(source: www.leica-geosystems.com)
are derived from reflection
against the walls etc. As a
result the derived position can
be off by quite a few meters
and as a result is not accept-
able for navigation purposes
other than very coarse loca-
tion (inside which building
etc).
Requirements for
Indoor Positioning
Based on the items above,
one can conclude that a solu-
tion, which has more power
and / or operates at a differ-
ent frequency, should solve
the problem of electronic
positioning. Greater power is possible but
requires more power available at the transmit-
ter, ruling out satellites that rely on solar pan-
els for their power. Also, since these are very
far away the signal will always be relatively
weak compared to the transmitted power.
Systems that are ground based do not have
this problem and can (in theory) output unlim-
ited power.
dreds of meters resulting in
downgraded positioning accu-
racy. As a result, the most
accurate frequencies are all
high, giving line of sight only.
There are a few systems that
use acoustics instead of radio
waves, but this will however
have little impact on the prob-
lems described.
A final requirement that
should be considered is the
number of people who will be
using the system at the same
time. For surveying it is
acceptable to have just a sin-
gle user in the system, but for
LBS in general more users
should be able to access the system simulta-
neously. GPS for example can sustain an unlim-
ited number of users whilst the Total Station
can only have a single user at a time making it
basically unusable for LBS. As a result only the
range-range type positioning systems are in
general usable for LBS. A specific problem
indoors is the third dimension. It is not enough
to just locate the position horizontally. The floor
The problem of frequency can also be solved
by transmitting in a different frequency band.
Also going outside the radio magnetic spectrum
and into the optical spectrum could solve the
problem. In order for a radio signal to deviate
from the line of sight (curve around the earth),
one has to go into the so-called Medium
Frequency to High Frequency (MF/HF) band. This
means a wavelength of a few meters to hun-
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
11
December 2010
Skyhook database of WiFi coverage of the central part of the Netherlands (source:
www.skyhookwireless.com)
somebody is on plays an important role, too.
Which Alternatives Do We Have?
As we are limited to range-range systems in the
higher frequency bands for indoor LBS with an
accuracy capable of locating things
indoors, we need to have a look
at systems operating in that
frequency band. The
irony of trying to solve
this problem is that only
20 years ago there were
tens of systems that were capa-
ble of solving this problem and were
available on the free market. I'm of course
talking about radio positioning systems such
as Decca, Loran and their more accurate survey
equivalents. But alas, these are no longer with
us.
Looking to alternative systems broadcasting in
the required frequency band and being avail-
able commercially we find the following cate-
gories of systems:
Dedicated terrestrial positioning systems
GSM / 3G based techniques
WiFi / Bluetooth based techniques
RFID
Dedicated Systems
Even though the great age of terrestrial posi-
tioning is long gone with the advent of GPS,
some alternatives still remain. Probably the one
with the least impact on the end-user is the use
of pseudolites. These GPS-like terrestrial trans-
mitters mimic the GPS signal and can be
received by all GPS receivers. Though normally
used to augment existing GPS satellites in areas
with poor reception, these could also solve the
indoor problem. In the GPS specification there
is room for four of these pseudolites that can
be operated in addition to the regular GPS
satellites. This can solve the problem however
only locally and is (at the moment) not a world-
wide solution to the problem. Besides a few
pilot projects there are very few references to
pseudolites actually being used.
A newer development is in UltraWideBand posi-
tioning where dedicated masts are erected
around e.g. a disaster area and specialized
receivers are used for signal reception. Again,
this technology seems to be mainly in the
research stages but is showing promising
results.
GSM / 3G
Positioning using your mobile telephone is
already possible; using the signals transmitted
by your telephone, the provider can locate any
telephone to within a few meters to tens of
meters depending on the local situation. In
urban areas the location determination can be
very precise whereas in more rural areas (less
GSM transmitters) the determination is to with-
in a few tens to hundreds of meters.
What these systems do is essentially triangu-
late your position using the signals received by
at least three GSM stations. If more stations are
available the determination is more accurate.
The stations determine the time difference
between the receptions of the same signal at
those stations, which in turn generate a set of
hyperbolae, indicating where the receiver is
located. Another technique is by measuring the
angle of arrival indicating the angle between
receiving antenna and handset. When done
from the network this technique is relatively
easy as the network is already capable of accu-
rate timing or angle determination; knows the
location of transmitters and so forth and it is
just a matter of software implementation.
Implementing this on the telephone side is
slightly harder; first of all your telephone needs
to be aware of the location of the various sta-
tions, or in other words it needs a comprehen-
sive database. It must also be able to track the
signal strength from the stations and convert
this into a range measurement. So the trans-
mission power of the stations is also needed.
Taking into account that the signal strength will
vary depending on the signal path (through a
building or not for example), the potential errors
involved are quite large.
WiFi / Bluetooth
Positioning using your wireless network is also
a very viable way of determining ones position.
In general the same is needed as when using
GSM / 3G techniques. As the system only has
a limited range however, it is easier to calcu-
late positions. With WiFi this gives positions to
within say 20 meters. With Bluetooth the ranges
are smaller giving more positional accuracy.
For both systems the precision could be
enhanced locally by adding a model of the
environment to make location deter-
mination more accurate. This
would however mean a
specialized implemen-
tation at the receiver
side with knowledge of the
model and will only work for
the location for which the model
was made. Research has shown that
using an accurate model can bring down
precision to around a few meters for WiFi.
RFID
RFID - Radio Frequency IDentification is a tech-
nique using small chips that transmit a signal
when close enough to a receiver. Basically all
cards that work contactless (such as public
transportation cards) use this technology. In
most applications the RFID is unpowered and
transmits the signal using the power from the
magnetic field from the transmitter. There is
however no problem in powering these chips
by giving them e.g. a small battery.
Powering up the RFID chips enhances the range
from just a few millimeters / centimeters to
meters / tens of meters. By equipping the build-
ing with a number of receivers for the RFID sig-
nal it is possible to locate the RFID chip very
accurately within the room. Two-way communi-
cation would then give the location back to the
RFID.
Reality?
Based on the above there are a number of
potential techniques that can be used. Actually
all of the techniques mentioned are a reality
already. Professional survey companies are
using pseudolites and dedicated systems
already; emergency services are using GSM / 3G
positioning to find where the caller is calling
from in an emergency situation. WiFi position-
ing is already available in some countries from
companies such as Skyhook but also Google
and Apple. Last but not least, RFID positioning
is used to track just about anything from con-
tainers to flowers.
The main problem is that different manufactur-
ers use different protocols with different soft-
ware etc., so at the moment there is no single
solution available for indoor positioning. From
that perspective it seems that currently the WiFi
solution is the one that is most commonly sup-
ported.
Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk
hlekkerkerk@geoinformatics.comis project
manager at IDsW and freelance writer and trainer.
This article reflects his personal opinion.
12
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Passive RFID chip (source: www.wikimedia.org)
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Converge, Connect and Collaborate
Trimble 5th International
User Conference
Trimble opened its 5th international user conference with more than 2,900 registered attendees from 67 countries around
the world. The Trimble Dimensions 2010 conference theme-Converge, Connect and Collaborate-provided insight into how
the convergence of technologies can redefine the way professionals connect and collaborate to achieve success.
The conference explored the use of technology in a wide range of applications including surveying, engineering,
construction, mapping, GIS, geospatial, utilities and mobile resource management. Trimble Dimensions 2010 was
held November 8-10th at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
By Ruud Groothuis
Attendees had the opportunity to network
with key industry leaders, build partnerships,
develop new contacts, discuss opportunities
and discover how to overcome obstacles in
today's competitive business environment.
With more than 400 sessions across multiple
specialty tracks, the conference focused on
increasing productivity in the field and the
office by revolutionizing work processes.
The Conference
The conference included an demonstration and
training area plus a Partner Pavilion that show-
cased the complete suite of Trimble solutions
designed for construction, survey, engineering,
mining, aerial and mobile mapping, GIS, utili-
ties, infrastructure, mobile computing, forestry
and agricultural applications. In addition, there
were products from Accubid, Applanix, Meridian
Systems, Pacific Crest, QuickPen and Spectra
Precision. Highlighted solutions and technolo-
gies included GNSS, total stations, field com-
puting and data collection, 3D scanning, pre-
design construction planning, 3D visualization,
Building Information Modeling (BIM), construc-
tion project management, aerial mapping, wire-
less communications, data transfer, field and
office software, and smart grid applications.
A number of other technology providers, who
are also Trimble partners, participated to
expand the conference as to the range of prod-
ucts available and their application potential.
A Talk with Mr. Steven W. Berglund
president and CEO of Trimble
Of course our magazine GeoInformatics was
distributed to attendees at the Trimble
Dimensions event and we had the opportunity
to speak with Steven Berglund. Trimble, strong-
ly decentralized over the past several years has
a turnover of approximately 1.3 billion USD. Ten
years ago Trimble was primarily a GPS technol-
ogy company but has since evolved into a pro-
ductivity company and a provider of efficient
integrated solutions.
Trimble defines the market in terms of indus-
try and user identity. This can be asset man-
agement and/or Geospatial. We are looking
for vertical markets, with the identity of the
user in mind. Geospatial is an element of the
solution.
Trimbles eager expansion lies more in smaller
acquisitions with local content. The company
is not looking in traditional locations but more
towards places which, in general, have not
been on the growth market list. (China, India,
Brazil, Eastern Europe and the Middle East)
Who are the users and what are the problems
they are facing? The key is to add value which
14
Event
December 2010
extends further then being just a provider of,
for example, raw data etc.
The amount of data that is becoming available
is growing. How can you beneficially use that
data? Well, this is the general challenge for the
geo-industry. One should understand the
nature of the use. The boundaries have shift-
ed/faded. Its a challenging World, Mr.
Berglund concluded.
New Introductions
Trimble introduced nine new products at
Dimensions of which the Next Generation
Nomad Series of Outdoor Rugged Handheld
Computers. The Nomad 900 series adds a 5
MP auto-focus camera with flash, enhanced
GPS performance, and new Wi-Fi capabilities.
These new features, along with the its rugged
construction and computing power, make the
Trimble Nomad 900 series ideal for mobile
workers in forestry, public safety, surveying,
construction, mapping, field service, utilities,
and other outdoor or service-related fields.
Trimble has designed the Nomad handheld to
be the ultimate all-in-one computing device for
asset management. With the units improved
camera and flash, low light and night images
are crisp and bright allowing mobile workers
to capture and geotag assets with confidence-
even the fine print associated with an asset,
such as a fire inspection tag, can be easily
read. Tuned to maximize the integrated GPS
receiver's performance, the Trimble Nomad 900
series handheld has an enhanced antenna
design which provides a rapid Time-to-First Fix
(TTF) to improve GPS productivity in difficult
GPS conditions. The handhelds ship with the
Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, featur-
ing a redesigned user interface, enhanced secu-
rity, simpler email and Bluetooth setup, and
more. Available in a variety of configurations,
the series features multiple language options
including, English, French, German, Japanese,
Chinese (Simplified), and Spanish.
For GIS data collection and asset management
activities, the 900G series includes 6 GB of
Flash storage ideal for field GIS applications
with large geospatial datasets. The GPS receiv-
er enhancements allow GPS data to be post-
processed to an accuracy of 1 to 3 meters. In
addition, these handhelds are compatible with
the entire portfolio of Trimble Mapping & GIS
field and office software products. The operat-
ing system downloads are available in English,
French, German, Japanese and Spanish, as well
as Italian, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and
Russian.
As with most conventions, a lot was going on.
The booths were showing the latest innova-
tions, magazines from several industries were
on-site and thousands of conversations were
taking place simultaneously as surveyors, con-
tractors, industry representatives and salesmen
exchanged information. There was no doubt
Trimble Dimensions certainly succeeded in pre-
senting the Converge, Connect and Collaborate
theme, connecting different disciplines and
technologies, and presenting superb sessions
all with a focus on gaining that competitive
edge.
www.trimble.com
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Event
15
December 2010
People are eager for
education instead of
novelties.
The Role of Open Source Software
For handling INSPIRE-compliant Data
Open source software offers freely available source code to the general public, thereby allowing for modifications and
redistribution. Freedom to modify source code offers significant opportunities in the establishment of a Europe-wide
spatial information infrastructure. The INSPIRE directive provides a legal framework for the establishment of a spatial infor-
mation infrastructure across the European Union. This article describes a study on open source tools for the
handling of INSPIRE-conformant data as carried out by the GIS4EU project. A case study is presented based on
extension of the OpenJUMP workbench for downloading and displaying INSPIRE-conformant data.
By Somnath Ghosal, Nan Lin and Iain Cross
Introduction
Open Source Software is increasingly utilised
for the management, distribution and analy-
sis of geographic data. Proprietary GIS soft-
ware is typically costly, and open source alter-
natives can be significantly more cost effective
for organisations to use. Open source soft-
ware also offers the opportunity for plugins
to be developed which enhance the function-
ality of the software. This article describes the
application of two plugins for obtaining and
displaying INSPIRE compliant geographic data.
We describe a background to open source
GIS, the purpose of the INSPIRE directive and
the nature of the developed plugins. We con-
clude by addressing the potential for open
source plugins for organisations mandated to
adopt the INSPIRE directive.
Open Source GIS
Software applications are developed from
source code. Developers can choose to make
source code publicly available, or to keep it
hidden. Software that has its source code
16
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
published for free viewing, redistribution or
modification, is referred to as Open Source
Software (OSS). Proprietary software is usual-
ly 'closed', meaning that its source code is
not published. Whereas companies tend to
offer closed proprietary software to protect
commercial interests, individual developers
often publish OSS in order to allow other
developers to contribute to the development
of the software and build additional features
that extend the functionality of the original
software programme. OSS is typically free for
distribution and modification. However, it is
accompanied by a licence that protects the
developers from litigation and protects spe-
cific intellectual property rights. The geospa-
tial community has established an OSS com-
munity offering free and open source GIS
(osGIS). osGIS has made it possible for sev-
eral government agencies and companies to
use and manipulate geospatial data without
incurring the potentially significant expense
of proprietary GIS. Examples of osGIS include
osGIS is already making significant contribu-
tions to handling and processing geographic
data. For example, local residents in the
Surrey Heath Borough Council have been able
to access geographic information on tree pro-
tection orders using OSS and open-source
data (see GIS Professional, 34: 22-24). The
online application links information on tree
preservation orders, planning applications
and conservation zones. Residents are able
to easily locate their property and identify
nearby trees that may be subject to specific
planning restrictions and preservation orders.
The council aims to develop systems to deliv-
er geographic data to staff in the field using
handheld GPS hardware. The council claims
that using osGIS has been instrumental for
creating high-quality web services and devel-
oping a map creation and publishing system.
Open Geospatial Consortium
Standards
The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an
industry consortium of 400 companies, gov-
ernment agencies, and research organizations
worldwide participating in a consensus pro-
cess to develop publicly available interface
standards. Prior to its foundation, there was
the Geographic Resources Analysis Support
System (GRASS) and OpenJUMP. GRASS was
originally developed by the United States
Army Corp of Engineers more than 20 years
ago and it is now maintained by a communi-
ty of volunteer developers. GRASS is used
by academic, commercial, government depart-
ments as well as environmental organizations
for geospatial data analysis and management,
graphics and data modelling purposes. The
development of the OpenJUMP platform is dis-
cussed later. Several more examples of osGIS
are offered by the Open Source Geospatial
Foundation (OSGeo), an organisation which,
through a number of projects, provides finan-
cial, organisational and legal assistance to
osGIS developers. Some examples of current
OSGeo projects include:
GeoServer: An osGIS that allows users to
share and edit geospatial datasets through
web services.
OpenLayers: A javascript toolkit for creat-
ing interactive maps of web pages.
PostGIS: An extension of the PostgreSQL
database for supporting geospatial data
and functions.
gvSIG: A GIS for capturing, storing, han-
dling and analyzing geospatial data.
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
17
December 2010
OSM data in OpenJUMP
OpenJUMP screenshot
lack of extensibility and flexibility of GIS soft-
ware though GIS had shown great potentials
to a variety of business sectors. Users felt
frustrated when they were forced to use inef-
ficient, time consuming, and error-prone data
transfer methods to share geospatial data
between systems. The OGC has developed
standards that empower technology develop-
ers to make complex geospatial information
and services accessible and useful for many
different applications. These standards sup-
port interoperable solutions on the Web, wire-
less and location-based services to be loca-
tion-aware and geospatially-enabled.
An example of an OGC standard for web ser-
vices is the Web Feature Service (WFS) which
defines interfaces for data access and manip-
ulation operations on geographic features
using HTTP as the distributed computing plat-
form. Through these interfaces, a web user or
service can combine, use, and manage
geospatial data. WFS offers data encoded in
Geography Markup Language (GML), an OGC
standard for encoding location-referenced
data in eXtensible Markup Language (XML). A
typical processing request would proceed as
follows (assuming a web server implementing
the WFS):
1. A client application initially requests a
capabilities document. This is a descrip-
tion of the operations that that particular
WFS supports and a list of datasets that
it offers.
2. A client application may then make a
request to the WFS to define features that
the WFS can handle, using a
DescribeFeatureType operation.
3. Based on the definitions of the features,
the client application generates a request
via a GetFeature operation.
4. The data request sent to web server.
5. The request for data is read, by the WFS
which then processes the request to gen-
erate a dataset.
6. A status report is generated and sent back
to the client. This may also communicate
any errors encountered.
More details on WFS can be found at
http://bit.ly/dvYRku.
OpenJUMP
In 2002, Vivid Solutions developed the Java
Unified Mapping Platform (JUMP), a vector GIS
and programming framework for supporting
the matching of roads and rivers from differ-
ent digital maps in order to produce a single
integrated geospatial dataset. JUMP has since
been used to process other types of spatial
data such as provincial boundaries and remote-
ly sensed images. The package rapidly gained
popularity among users and developers who
customized it to suit their own needs. After
Vivid Solutions ended the development of
JUMP, the potential advantages of moving the
application into the OSS domain became
apparent. The application became known as
OpenJUMP, which is now developed and main-
tained by a group of volunteers.
OpenJUMP is an OSS application and therefore
freely available. It has a number of specific fea-
tures that are useful for users and developers:
Compatibility with many operating systems
(including Windows, Linux, UNIX and
Macintosh platforms);
Easily extensible environment for user-spe-
cific GIS applications;
A number of existing plugins to enhance
functionality;
The ability to read and write shapefiles
and simple GML files;
Support for the display of images;
Support for showing data retrieved from
WFS and Web Map Services (WMS);
Full geometry and attribute editing;
Support for multiple languages.
OpenJUMP, like most OSS, also offers the
developer a programming environment in
which it is relatively easy to develop tools for
specific features without an extensive working
knowledge of the entire software architecture.
This can assist the rapid development of plu-
gins. OpenJUMP is therefore an attractive
proposition for both GIS users and develop-
ers for economic, development and usability
reasons. This article describes the develop-
ment of two plugins for the OpenJUMP plat-
form. The plugins were designed to address
specific user needs identified during usability
testing of INSPIRE compliant datasets.
The INSPIRE Directive
Historically, European spatial information was
characterised by lack of harmonisation
between datasets at different geographical
scales, different languages, fragmented
datasets, gaps in availability and duplication
of information. To address such inconsistency
of data, the European Union published the
INSPIRE directive which aims to establish an
infrastructure for the sharing of environmen-
tal spatial information among public sector
organisations and facilitate public access to
spatial information across Europe. To ensure
that the spatial data infrastructures of the
Member States are well-matched and
exploitable in a Community and trans-bound-
ary context, INSPIRE has provided common
Implementing Rules (IR) in a number of spe-
cific areas (such as Metadata, Data
Specifications, Network Services, Data and
Service Sharing, and Monitoring and
Reporting). These IRs are put into action as
Commission Decisions or Regulations.
The GIS4EU Project
The GIS4EU project was commissioned by the
EU eContentPlus programme to make base
cartographic datasets available by address-
ing cross scale, cross language, cross border
interoperability and accessibility issues fol-
lowing the standards and requirements of the
INSPIRE directive. The project involves 23 organ-
isations including national mapping agencies,
local authorities, private companies, and uni-
versities. Ten of the project partners were local
and national mapping agencies. We refer to
these agencies collectively as data provider-
s. GIS4EU has developed common data mod-
els based on INSPIRE data specifications for
Administrative Units, Trans portation Networks,
and Hydrography. The project has also devel-
oped a common data model for Elevation that
is expected to inform the forthcoming INSPIRE
data specification for Elevation. GIS4EU has
developed processes for data harmonisation
and aggregation in order to enable carto-
graphic authorities to publish consistent and
homogenous reference data conformant to
INSPIRE regulations.
In order to test the potential for applying the
common data models, more than 50 datasets
from the participating data providers were
remodelled based on matches between fea-
ture types in the supplied datasets and fea-
ture types in the common data models. After
remodelling the supplied datasets, the data
providers specified the transformation rules
required to aggregate the supplied datasets.
The appropriate transformation rules for a
supplied dataset depended on whether the
intended scale of the target dataset was at
local, regional, national or continental
(European) scale. This meant that supplied
datasets at very large scales were simplified
and the content generalised in order to aggre-
gate them into regional, national or smaller
scales. After the aggregation process,
data was validated before publication via
the GIS4EU web portal (available at
www.gis4eu.eu). The GIS4EU portal was
developed to serve as a testbed for the dis-
tribution of INSPIRE-compliant datasets using
WFS technology.
Defining, Testing and Addressing
Issues of Spatial Data Usability
The GIS4EU project aimed to improve the
sharing and utilisation of geographic data
between many different organisations, result-
ing in spatial data being accessible to a
potentially diverse range of end users.
Therefore it was important that the usability
of the remodelled and aggregated datasets
was assessed to ensure that all potential
users could interact with the new datasets.
This was done through a specific work pack-
18
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
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age within the GIS4EU project. Currently,
assessing data usability is difficult as the fea-
tures of datasets that determine their usabili-
ty are vague and poorly defined. This means
that there are few established protocols for
identifying if datasets are usable. In order to
address this, the GIS4EU data providers devel-
oped a consensus on the meaning of spatial
data usability by drawing iterative spider dia-
grams. The testing procedure consisted of
designing a series of logical (yes / no) ques-
tions to be answered about each dataset
which addressed the usability elements inden-
tified in the spider diagram. The logical ques-
tions were posed in a questionnaire for data
providers, which also allowed for the oppor-
tunity to make specific comments on individ-
ual datasets and issues of usability.
The usability evaluation highlighted two
issues. First, users found it difficult to read or
display data encoded in GML based on the
INSPIRE application schemas. GML is a geogra-
phy-oriented version of eXtensible Markup
Language (XML). Although there are several
desktop applications for reading various GML
application schemas (FME, Geomedia), and an
FME-based plugin to enable ArcGIS to handle
GML, there is currently no free desktop appli-
cation that can read and display INSPIRE GML.
Secondly, users found it difficult to download
data from the WFS. If a WFS-enabled GIS is
not available, retrieval of data from a WFS
requires prior knowledge of the parameters
accepted by WFS, and also an ability to read
the XML-encoded metadata describing the
datasets offered by a particular web service.
Some users were not familiar with the param-
eters used or XML coding. Therefore, there
was a need to enable users to easily down-
load data from a WFS and display the data
encoded using the INSPIRE GML.
Currently, organisations that are mandated to
adopt the INSPIRE directive (such as National
Mapping Agencies and local organisations
with cartographic interests) do not receive
additional funding to cover the cost of remod-
elling and aggregating to achieve INSPIRE com-
pliance. Cost-effective solutions to handle and
process data in order to meet INSPIRE require-
ments are therefore a particularly attractive
proposition for such organisations. osGIS
therefore has the potential to contribute
towards achieving INSPIRE compliancy.
Furthermore, the availability of free and osGIS
with the capability to handle INSPIRE-confor-
mant data could help to standardise funda-
mental operations such as the loading, writ-
ing and viewing of such datasets. INSPIRE-ready
osGIS could potentially offer a benchmark for
any application that offers support for INSPIRE-
conformant data display and processing. With
the benefits of osGIS, specific benefits of
OpenJUMP and the usability problems identi-
fied in the GIS4EU project in mind, two plug-
ins were developed for the OpenJUMP plat-
form.
GIS4EU plug-ins for OpenJUMP
Plug-ins are designed to answer specific needs
identified during the usability testing in the
GIS4EU projects:
1. A plug-in to download data from an INSPIRE-
compliant WFS: this is referred to as the
download plug-in
2. A plug-in to display downloaded INSPIRE-data
within the OpenJUMP workbench: this is
referred to as the parse plug-in.
The two plug-ins are designed to be easily
accessible within the OpenJUMP graphical user
interface (GUI). Both of them are located in the
Layers menu, ensuring that users will be able
to quickly locate and access them in a familiar
way. The file size of the plug-ins is also small
and so that the plug-in can be distributed quick-
ly and easily and without overloading users
hardware.
Use of the download plug-in comprises two
stages. First, a text-field inside the GUI is dis-
played, allowing users to input the uniform
resource locater (URL) of the target data. In
order to save users effort, only the URL of the
WFS implementation is required to be typed in;
the other part of the URL which is defined in
the WFS standard is automatically added by the
plug-in. Next, users click the Get Capabilities
button which retrieves a list of all available
20
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
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datasets . Users must select one layer from the
drop-down list and then click the Save GML
file button. As a result, the feature dataset is
downloaded to a user-specified location on the
local hard drive. During data download, a sta-
tus bar concurrently displays the downloading
progress. After this, users may choose to down-
load another feature dataset or close the GUI.
During the whole procedure, OpenJUMP and the
portal use the OGC WFS standard to communi-
cate with each other. In the first stage,
OpenJUMP sends a WFS GetCapabilites request
message to the portal and receives the
response. Instantly, the response message is
parsed and GIS4EU features available are
shown. In the second stage, after selection of
a feature dataset, a WFS GetFeature message
is sent to the portal to commence the down-
load of the dataset in GML format.
The parse plug-in displays a GUI allowing users
to locate, select, and upload one INSPIRE-based
GML file. When a GML file is selected for upload,
it automatically retrieves attribute sets of INSPIRE
feature types from a configuration file. The plug-
in is then able to parse the GML file and create
an OpenJUMP layer with the appropriate INSPIRE
attributes. This uploaded layer is displayed
inside the OpenJUMP workbench allowing users
to use standard OpenJUMP tools for spatial
analysis of the dataset.
Because of its open architecture, we are able
to quickly and easily develop plug-ins to extend
the OpenJUMP features. However, the plug-in
does have some limitations. For example, the
name of the geometry attribute is restricted to
geometry, but INSPIRE introduces other names
like centralLineGeometry and represen -
tativePoint. Another limitation inherited from
OpenJUMP is that a dataset must include geom-
etry features; however, some GIS4EU and INSPIRE
feature types do not have geometry attributes
so cannot be displayed inside the OpenJUMP
workbench. It is envisaged that these minor lim-
itations will be addressed through future devel-
opments by the INSPIRE community.
Other Potential Plugins for the
GIS4EU Project
There is some considerable scope for addition-
al plugins to be developed for OpenJUMP in
order to assist with the remodelling of datasets
into an INSPIRE-compliant form. The GIS4EU pro-
ject has used Intergraph Geomedia Fusion to
convert datasets into an INSPIRE-compliant form,
but there may be significant potential for an
open-source alternative to be developed. The
remodelling process principally consists of
determining how spatial features in an original
dataset compare with those that form the INSPIRE
data model for the relevant theme (hydrogra-
phy, transportation networks etc.). The process
requires four pieces of information (the original
datasets data and structure, the target data
model, matching tables and enumerations and
code-list mappings). Matching tables may
require multiple operations, intermediate vari-
ables to be created or filters and rules to be
applied in order to remodel the data. The pro-
cess results in a remodelled dataset and report
detailing the errors and miss-
ing or redundant informa-
tion. A plugin developed to
perform these operations
would not only share the
economic and software
development ad van tages of
the Open JUMP platform, but
would be highly complemen-
tary to the download and
parse plugins.
Conclusions and
Discussions
We believe that osGIS can
play a significant role for
organisations that obtain,
process and interact with
geographic data. The eco-
nomic advantages of osGIS
compared to proprietary
solutions are likely to be a
key driver of the continued
adoption of osGIS solutions,
particularly amongst public
organisations in the UK fac-
ing budgetary constraints.
The economic advantage of osGIS is particular-
ly important for organisations that are required
to adopt the INSPIRE directive, as implementing
INSPIRE is not supported with additional funding.
We have demonstrated that plugins developed
for osGIS can address specific issues with
obtaining and displaying INSPIRE-compliant
datasets, in direct response to the findings of
the usability testing procedure within the
GIS4EU project, by increasing the functionality
of the OpenJUMP package. This suggests that
organisations may benefit from using osGIS in
order to meet the requirements of the INSPIRE
directive. Furthermore, a selection of plugins
developed for a common osGIS platform to
address additional implications of handling
INSPIRE-compliant datasets may significantly
assist the adoption of the INSPIRE directive.
Dr. Somnath Ghosal Working as a Research
Associate at the Centre for Geospatial Science
(CGS), University of Nottingham. Before starting
work at the CGS, Dr. Ghosal did his PhD in
Environmental Management and Policy from the
School of Geography, University of Nottingham.
We would like to convey our gratitude to Prof.
Mike Jackson, Director of the Centre for Geospatial
Science (CGS), University of Nottingham, for his
kind guidance during the project. We appreciate
the support we have received from Dr Gobe
Hobona and Dr Suchith Anand for the writing of
this paper. The research presented in this article
was funded by the European Commission through
the eContent Plus programme.
22
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
OpenJUMP screenshot
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The Story continued
GIS and Imagery
In GeoInformatics issue 4, of June this year, Lawrie Jordan explained how imagery and GIS came together. With the release
of ArcGIS 10, which includes a new set of tools for image analysis, the integration of ITT VIS software in the ArcGIS
toolbox, it is a good moment to continue this story and discuss into more detail how imagery is integrated in
Esris new products and services.
By Lawrie Jordan
Imagery: the Next Phase in GIS
The timing of the union of GIS and imagery
was fortuitous. The trend is that platforms are
becoming more interoperable. Basically
mobile, cloud, desktop, and server are all just
different implementations of an extensive
platform. One of the core benefits of ArcGIS
is its unique ability to unify various imple-
mentations and access methods. It's one sys-
tem that runs on everything and can be
accessed by everything from browsers, to
smartphones, to desktop applications. It
essentially empowers people, from high-end
desktop users right down to field workers, to
use these tools in tandem to get important
work done. Hardware, especially thanks to
cloud technology and caching, is no longer a
limitation. That's allowing GIS and incorpo-
rated imagery tools to flourish throughout the
entire digital realm.
Imagery Types and Datasets
Produced Nowadays
GIS not only runs on all platforms, but accepts
all forms of geospatial data, including all
forms of imagery. So both in the public sense
and in the restricted non-public sense, theres
an enormous expansion of new sources of
imagery across the entire electromagnetic
spectrum. For example, outstanding high-res-
olution multispectral satellite imagery that's
now publicly available, down to half-meter
resolution, and soon to be better than that.
With airborne imagery, users are routinely
working with data that has resolutions on the
order of inches. Theres also hyperspectral
sources of data, along with improved radar
collection in all of its different modalities.
And, of course, radar has the advantage of
being day, night, and all weather. Radar also
has some unique properties in terms of
ground penetration, as well as the capability
to detect minute shifts in location using
advanced processing techniques called inter-
ferometry. Then theres thermal imagery and,
of course, lidar for terrain mapping with active
sensors. At the moment theres a gigantic
expansion of the quantity and quality of
imagery of all types, not just one type cover-
ing a limited spectrum.
Sandwich of Image Layers
One of the things that has been done for
many years, which is really coming into its
own now, is the fusion of multiple sources of
imagery into a single sandwich of image
layers. For example, in one of these synthetic
image stacks, you may have multispectral,
panchromatic, hyperspectral, radar, and lidar.
And by looking at special combinations of
these layers you can see things in the combi-
nation that you can't see in any one of them
by itself. This is also one of the fundamental
approaches used in digital cartography, as
overlays have historically been used for
decades to expand our perception and under-
standing of geography.
ITT VIS
Esri has already integrated ITT VIS software
in the ArcGIS toolbox, providing imagery anal-
ysis tools for ArcGIS users. This means that
when the user is in the ArcGIS environment,
he or she can literally press a button and
open up all these new ITT VIS ENVI tools. And
what's exciting about that is it's in the main-
stream and goes with the grain of what Esri
is doing. Our partners are closely aligned with
us, and they work very closely with Esris engi-
neering teams to make sure that all the new
24
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
On-the-fly NDVI calculation in ArcGIS. Image shows beta version of ArcGIS 10.
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
25
things that we release are fully compatible
and integrated with theirs.
Online Access to Imagery Holdings
Esri users are now able to directly connect to
online services from ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS.com,
and Bing and easily incorporate imagery within
their GIS. Were putting up the Landsat GLS
EPOCH datasets, which contain almost 50,000
full Landsat scenes that go back 40 years. These
will be full-resolution scenes, with all bands,
enabling rich analysis with ArcGIS software, not
merely a tile cache. Well be adding some addi-
tional services to go along with these, and there
will be some new announcements soon.
Improving the Image
When you have a very good set of tools to
fix an image that's not perfect, you can do a
tremendous amount to improve the image,
especially since that image itself may have
unique content that initially may be hidden.
Anyone whos ever used PhotoShop on their
home pictures knows this. If you've got a pic-
ture of someone that came out blurry or was
taken in low light, you can apply similar tools
to save the image and unlock the value con-
tained within it. Modern sensors, by and
large, capture excellent quality images. When
they dont, the integrated image analysis tools
in ArcGIS can fix them.
Those capabilities are being complemented
by integrating the sensor models into the soft-
ware. The sensor model's a math model that
helps us precisely locate that image on the
ground. That's what GIS users want. We want
our imagery to accurately fit the map. With
older imagery that may not have all the nec-
essary information, there are a lot of tools
that allow one to take an image that may be
inaccurate or fuzzy or cloudy or hazy and
apply some of these image transforms to it
to make it the very best that it could be.
Image Analysis Window and
Community Basemap
ArcGIS Desktop 10 has a new set of tools in
its main interface called the Image Analysis
window. These tools make all the basic
things that a person would want to do with
imagery much, much easier to use. You don't
have to be an expert or have a master's
degree. A lot of these tools are just simple
point and click, like a point-and-shoot cam-
era. You can essentially get the results back
in real time. Thats the trend of the future:
more and more easy-to-use tools.
Esris also providing a lot of best practices
techniques that are rolled up into templates.
Users can now pour their data into a template
and out comes a finished map. We're doing
this worldwide with our Community Basemap.
Now imagery templates are built for users in
the imagery community to share best prac-
tices with them so they can get the best
results from their image holdings.
Lawrie Jordan, Director of
Imagery Enterprise Solutions, Esri.
Overlay of basemaps in ArcGIS. Image courtesy of GeoEye, DigitalGlobe, and MDA Federal.
Image shows beta version of ArcGIS 10.
Color-infrared imagery. Image analysis window provides a set of powerful tools
for processing imagery on the fly. Image courtesy of GeoEye. Image shows beta ver-
sion of ArcGIS 10.
Color-infrared imagery with segmentation overlay. Image courtesy of GeoEye.
Image shows beta version of ArcGIS 10.
December 2010
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A Re-evaluation
Cornwalls Mining World
Heritage Site
Continued fieldwork and research focused on the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscapes World Heritage Site,
UK - and the 175 sites known to be associated with the worldwide migration patterns of its associated workforce in the
19th and early 20th centuries represents the application and use of tools born from the Information Age in order to
understand the Industrial past. The examples shown in this article are taken from fieldwork conducted at the Grass
Valley in California, USA, and Wheal Coates, Cornwall, UK. All work would not have been possible without the help
and support of CyArk (a California non profit founded by Ben Kacyra), Adam Technologies, Canon UK, Leica Geosystems
USA, Faro UK and Point Tools.
By Adam P. Spring, Caradoc Peters and Justin Barton
The iconic Cornish Engine House with its sim-
ple yet distinctive engineered shape made its
way all over the world. With its design went
workforces of highly skilled miners and engi-
neers whose influences on landscapes in
Mexico, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and North
and South America (to name but a few) still sur-
vive today. Websites like cousinjack.org provide
links to societies made up of the genetic rem-
nant of these work forces. In Grass Valley, a
large community of Cornish workers made their
way from the Upper Mid West lead mining
regions, Mexico (where they introduced football
to the country also), from Cornwall and from
further afield in 1854 to take advantage of the
Gold Rush. Annual celebrations held in July, tra-
ditional Cornish pasties, place and family name
evidence provide insight into the cultural impact
mining had on the area. Such cultural ties are
intrinsically intertwined with the physical impact
of mining in the area, now fossilised in the land-
scape by features like the Holbrooke Hotel, vol-
unteer-run organisations like the North Star
Mining Museum and Cousin Jacks Pasty Shop.
Recording the Industrial Age in the
Information Age
Using mid range scanning or photogrammetry
to record relic mine workings present engineer-
ing solutions to past industrial problems.
Engine houses and associated mine workings
are perfectly designed for the application of
such digital high definition survey tools, with
their distinctive geometric and uniform shape
presenting ease of capture (depending on envi-
ronment) at an acquisition stage, and rapid and
easy registration at an initial processing phase.
In a climate where hackneyed catchphrases like
end user requirements and moving beyond
the point cloud are used in commercial and
research environments in broad and liberal
fashion, the use of an engineering tool to
address questions pertaining to Industrial her-
itage gives key information even before mod-
elling off the point cloud (see Spring, Peters et
al IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications,
May/June 2010, pp. 15-19). Accurate measure-
ments and detailed 3D recordings provide vital
28
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Adam Technologys Powerful 3DM Analyst photogrammetric package being used to map an open cast mine
in the present. Mapping a large pit. The area being captured is nearly 3 km long and ranging from 300600
m deep. The two camera stations on the left are using a 100 mm lens at a distance of 450700 m; the three
on the right are using a 200 mm lens at a distance of 10001400 m from the opposite wall.
Triangulation and contours generated by 3DM Analyst of one of the stockpiles in the earlier images. Note the
inverted cone in the top of the stockpile has been successfully captured.
information towards overall structural analysis
like load and stress capabilities for internal
workings; the ability to produce detailed plans
and specifications (which have not survived or
are yet to be rediscovered); accurately recon-
struct the internal workings that have been
removed; and create a corpus of detailed 3D
time slices that can be used to chart their devel-
opment and modification on an international
scale. The value of such data sets are champi-
oned further by online archives like CyArk,
where with a mouse click, complementary infor-
mation like site plans, videos and HDR panora-
mas give better impressions of context and
details like surface texture.
sub-centimetre coordinated, measurable infor-
mation. It is the latter that is of interest to the
archaeologist or heritage specialist and, in this
example, provides an engineering solution used
to digitally preserve relic structures developed
for engineering needs. As Shakespeare aptly
wrote, it is almost as if: The wheel is come full
circle. Incidentally Wheal is the Cornish word
for a shaft mine.
Scanning Wheal Coates
On August 16th 2010 a Faro Photon 120 was
used to capture part of the tin mine workings
at Wheal Coates, Cornwall, UK. Towanroath
Pumping Engine House (1872) was used to
pump water from its associated shaft, which
was incorporated into a naturally occurring sea
cave. From two hours in the field a texture rich
point cloud was generated using a phase based
laser system, which in itself has implications at
a data processing and archiving phase. It also
provided complimentary information to data
captured in Grass Valley in July 2009 using the
time of flight based system housed in the Leica
Scanstation 2. Much like the Grass Valley scan
sessions, fieldwork addressed questions per-
taining to structural development and use, as
well as the life of the pump engine, its location
on the now picturesque coastline and everyday
workings. In both instances water was key to
the running of the site, and the driving force
behind engineered approaches applied.
Utilisation of natural features on the landscape
in relation to its water driven power source mir-
Heritage Work Flows
End user requirements for cultural heritage
extend beyond 2D or 3D work flows (see
GeoInformatics Issue 8 2008, pp. 50-54). Long
term data acquisition and preservation strate-
gies are paramount, with data use and reuse
key to generating information that does not fall
into a short term mentality of capture it, use it
and effectively bin it. Applications are, to an
extent, idiosyncratic to each site, with no sin-
gle manufacturers work flow or ethos offering
a complete solution to conservation, restora-
tion or preservation requirements. No one solu-
tion or data capture system provide all the
answers at this time, with data validation pro-
cesses crossing quantitative and qualitative
boundaries (see Spring, Peters et al IEEE
Computer Graphics and Applications, May /June
2010, pp. 15-19).
Marrying Past and Present
Engineering Solutions
There is a sense of irony when applying mid-
range scanning solutions to the Cornwall and
West Devon Mining Landscapes World Heritage
Site. This is especially apparent when looking
back to California based companies like Cyra
Technologies and Riegl in Austria in the mid
1990s, where the underlying paradigm driving
technological development was industrial and
engineering applications. In addition to the cre-
ation and rapid development of a commercial
market, such companies also produced a read-
ily accessible rapid capture method generating
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
29
December 2010
3D model of an underground heading, seen from
the "outside" generated using 3DM Analyst. 16
images are captured from four different locations
in about ten minutes to capture the entire surface;
processing takes 510 minutes to generate
between about 400,000 and 2 million points,
depending on settings.
James Needham, Faro UK, operating the Faro Photon 120 Phase Shift Scanner..
rored that of Grass Valley, providing evidence
of and remaining testament to the highly skilled
work forces that followed work all over the
world. So far the scan data has started to shed
light on the technological thought processes
spreading out from Cornwall in the 19th and
20th centuries, as well as retracing the foot-
steps of a highly skilled artisan class. The lat-
ter of which have left far more physical evidence
than written evidence.
Conclusion
Digital high definition survey tools are making
Industrial heritage more accessible, not only in
terms of the knowledge extracted from data
sets but also in the experiential sense. Entire
sites can now be accessed at a click of a but-
ton in one environment, presenting rapid access
to multiple data sets that are a direct product
of the Information Age and the rise of user cre-
ators. In the case of Cornwalls mining heritage,
digital survey is making cross-comparisons not
just within Cornwall, but wherever Cornish min-
ing sites are found in the world. The rise of user
creators empowered by easy-to-use digital tech-
niques is relevant to sites like Towanroath
where independent of the project outlined in
this article programs like Google SketchUp have
been used to build and represent the site in
Google Earth also. Digital photogrammetry and
close relatives like Terrestrial Laser Scanning are
part of a wide range suite of tools designed to
tackle the most difficult thing of all - recreating
and modelling the real world. In doing so their
use by design throws up more questions than
answers, and that is where the excitement
begins.
Websites:
www.adamtech.com.au
www.canon.co.uk
http://archive.cyark.org
www.faro.com/uk.aspx
www.leica-geosystems.us/en/index.htm
www.cornish-mining.org.uk
30
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Towanroath point cloud with targets and scan posi-
tions included.
Complete registered point cloud of Towanroath
Pumping Engine House in context. This
information has been used to recreate plans
of the structure and its workings.
Aerial view of the inner workings of the mine.
Even working off of the point cloud in such a
basic way provides greater understanding of how
the mine worked.
I believe in reliability.
Reliability means peace of mind knowing that
your equipment will never let you down.
Regardless of the situation, you want to be able to rely on your
equipment and the results you get. Thats why Leica Geosystems
places great emphasis on dependability. Our comprehensive
spectrum of solutions covers all your measurement needs for
surveying, engineering and geospatial applications. And they are
all backed with world-class service and support that delivers
answers to your questions. When it matters most. When you
are in the field. When it has to be right.
You can count on Leica Geosystems to provide a highly reliable
solution for every facet of your job.
Leica Geosystems AG
Switzerland
www.leica-geosystems.com
The Leica Viva GNSS this exceptionally rugged,
easy-to-use instrument with a self-explanatory
interface is a fine example of our uncompromising
dedication to your needs. Reliability: yet another
reason to trust Leica Geosystems.
Managing Railway Network with Geospatial Solution
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), Italys national rail infrastructure operator, made geospatial integration a fundamental
component of its corporate information and communication technology strategy. Careful planning and implementation has
enabled RFI to integrate spatial data and technology with core business workflows and systems (like SAP), which ensures
data are accurate and current. The geospatial solution supports and enhances critical, high-value business functions.
By Claudio Mingrino
RFI was established in 2001 to manage infrastructure for the Group
Ferrovie della Stato and meet Italian Government directives for the separa-
tion between the system operator and the producer of transport services.
RFI is responsible for maintaining and renewing the conventional rail net-
work, according to the latest technological and safety standards, in accor-
dance with passenger and freight traffic growth needs and for the design
and the implementation of the high-speed/high-capacity network (1,000
km). RFI employs more than 32,000 people and manages more than 16,500
km of lines and 2,300 stations. The system serves in excess of 9,000 trains
daily.
RFIs main activities include:
Management of the railway capacity allocation processes
Application and collection of charges for the use of the rail infrastruc-
ture
Maintenance and development of railroads and rail infrastructure, based
on a contract with the Italian Government (Minister of Infrastructure)
Railway traffic-control management on the network
According to Intergraphs Claudio Mingrino, RFI wanted to implement a
geospatial system to manage the maintenance of its railway stations and
ensure high-level service to clients. It successfully integrated Intergraph
and SAP ERP platforms and continues to gain benefits in its daily opera-
tions. These benefits include saving time and money by using friendly and
intuitive applications that merge master data with geospatial data.
Because the project was implemented over several years means that RFI
used a number of different integration methods in the SAP platforms
development. One notable feature is how the Intergraph platform has guar-
anteed all the upgrades. This article spotlights the particular vision
Intergraph uses to provide the appropriate platforms aimed at supporting
the typical mission of a solution provider. Rather than relying on a single
technology or product-based vision, RFI harmonizes technologies that can
benefit other companies who have specific needs and ambitious objec-
tives.
The Value of Geospatial Information
Geospatial information adds value to the development of both current and
future processes. The step required to implement decision-support sys-
tems integrated with geospatial information is a short and immediate
one. In fact, you only need to consider how the geographical location and
the definition of a territorial context can significantly speed up and enrich
any analysis related to railway processes. For example, you can use the
operational rooms (central and/or local) for effectively monitoring the infras-
tructure (technical control, maintenance, and diagnostics) planning for the
railway line.
Intergraphs solution is based on standard technology that complies with
RFIs instructions and requirements a three-level architecture with an
exclusively Web-based platform using service-oriented architecture (SOA)
and Web services in accordance with the Open Geospatial Consortium
(OGC) standard for achieving maximum interoperability and modularity.
Geospatial Database Management
Mingrino explains that the process of integrating/updating and the conse-
quent maintenance of the database are very important and basic for any
32
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Figure 1: This screen image illustrates RFIs plans database
Figure 2: This screen image illustrates the bi-directional link with SAP
and GeoMedia.
system that deals with informa-
tion, especially geospatial data.
RFI makes this process a priori-
ty, says Mingrino. For five years,
RFI defined and implemented a
set of rules and procedures for
integrating and updating its
geospatial database in a well-
managed process.
The rules, focused for example
on topology and geometry vali-
dation or metadata management
(FGDC appropriately simplified
and directly related to the standard ISO19115), concern both the availabil-
ity of other cartographic data sources (CAD files related to the plan of
new railway lines; CAD files related to the plan of future railway lines;
raster files; and GPS file tracking) and data integration of other enter-
prise systems.
Business Process Support Based on ERP Integration
The following are some of the processes, including those regarded as crit-
ical, which are managed on an integrated basis by SAP and GIS, with
Intergraph Italy involved in the implementation.
The main goal was to manage contracts for cleaning and maintenance of
the railway stations RFI owned to maintain a high level of service to clients.
To reach this goal, the project was divided into three parts and assigned
to specific working groups: plans database (Figure 1), contracts manage-
ment for cleaning/maintenance, and ordinary maintenance. Intergraphs
efforts have focused on the first item, building an architecture to integrate
CAD, GIS, and SAP data. The reference architecture complies as closely as
possible with the standards of an enterprise SOA.
This project involves integration at application and technology levels to
allow the use of data from both the cartographic database and the master
infrastructure database. The key aspect of this integration is that the two
sources of information are held in both SAPs and Intergraphs GIS plat-
forms, which could not be more different from each other technically. The
solution core is software middleware based on clients which contains
the application logic to establish the communication. It is also possible to
switch the communication itself toward GIS-client application or Web-GIS
application.
In addition, an authorization policy was established to manage:
The GIS access for a certain user and the area they can visualize.
The choice to activate a GIS-client session vs. a Web-GIS session.
Intergraph delivered the integration process on two different levels in terms
of the logic and implementation methodology used. This provides a unique
architecture that not only facilitates the integration of data from both
databases, but also makes it possible to navigate in one database while
experiencing the results of this navigation in the other. This was achieved
by integrating both the data and the relevant navigation consoles.
As a result, users can navigate within the cartographic database via
Intergraphs GeoMedia client. For example, users can position themselves
on a railway bridge and using a custom command, activate the SAP graph-
ical user interface (GUI), which, when connected online to the master infras-
tructure data database, displays the relevant view of the master data
corresponding to the bridge selected in the cartographic database.
This operation also works in the
opposite direction; when navigat-
ing using the SAP GUI, it is possi-
ble to switch to a view displayed
on the GeoMedia GIS client
(Figure 2). The implemented solu-
tion provides three software com-
ponents required to achieve this
two-way communication between
the SAP and GIS systems. The
components include two server
logics in the direction SAP to GIS,
and one client logic in the direc-
tion GIS to SAP. These compo-
nents provide the architectures middle level and are located on the client.
These projects address the corrected positioning of fleet maintenance
vehicles and of work teams in real time (Figure 3). This process becomes
critical when the same vehicles and related teams are used in activi-
ties such as emergencies or programmed maintenance. Critical elements
include the correct choice of the tracking device for the vehicles and
the various procedures for the registration, retrieving, and onboard data
analysis with particular attention to the efficacy, availability, and acti-
vation characteristics.
Geospatial Framework for Transportation
Claudio Mingrino explains that RFI maps is a Web-based application, such
as Google maps and this solution can be considered as the new portal for
all applications; it will be a consultation application and will also repre-
sent the entry point for all vertical systems.
The application consists of three levels or workflows:
Level one The user wants essentially to locate a position or visualize
a territorial context: the user performs a consultation.
Level two The user adds a specific request at the consultation that
requires the activation of the other system; these systems work this
request inside and return the information at the portal for visualiza-
tion/consultation.
Level three The user requests a specific elaboration that requires acti-
vation of vertical and specific systems based on specific and vertical
logics on geospatial information, and in particular with the technology
and products Intergraph provides.
These systems work inside their environment and both return the informa-
tion to the portal and generate data as thematic analysis available for
future consultations.
These systems concern, for example, data interaction produced by the
noise pollution software module in an integrated geographic view, or
the management of geospatial data with Intergraph technology, as well as
alphanumeric data in the SAP R/3 environment arising from the survey of
protection infrastructure carried out to defend the territory along the rail.
Another example of a vertical system concerns the analysis and themat-
ic reports about cadastre data overlapping vectors and raster layers belong-
ing to the RFI cartographic databases.
Internet: www.intergraph.com
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
33
December 2010
Figure 3: RFI uses the system to monitor and locate vehicles in real time.
Current Developments in Airborne
Digital Frame Cameras
As Displayed in the Intergeo 2010 Exhibition
The continuous rapid development of digital imaging technology resulted in numerous airborne digital frame cameras
being shown at the Intergeo 2010 trade fair. For the airborne photogrammetric and mapping community, the many new or
improved frame cameras that were on display in the exhibition formed a real highlight of the event.
By Gordon Petrie
Introduction
While the editor-in-chief (Eric van Rees)
has already provided readers with his
overall impressions of Intergeo 2010 in
the previous issue of GEOInformatics, I
have been asked by him to focus atten-
tion on a particular subject area within
which considerable technical develop-
ment has taken place and a substantial
number of new or improved products
have been introduced and displayed in
the exhibition. The area of
was an obvious choice for me to make,
since it quite definitely meets these criteria. This
review of the activity that is taking place in this
particular area, as seen at Intergeo 2010, will
be conducted under the now widely accepted
classification of airborne digital frame cameras
on the basis of the of the image
that is being generated in the cameras focal
plane at a single exposure station in the air
with the individual cameras having small, medi-
um or large formats respectively.
When I first wrote about this topic in GEO -
Informatics in 2003, small-format cameras gen-
erated frame images that were between 1 and
6 Megapixels in size; a medium-format camera
produced frame images that were typically 16
Megapixels in size; while a large-format camera
delivered frame images that were larger than
25 to 30 Megapixels in terms of their format
size. Now, in 2010, cameras include
digital SLR cameras producing frame images
that are 25 Megapixels in size (and are going
up rapidly). cameras currently
produce frame images in the range 39 to 60
Megapixels (and are set to increase to 80
Megapixels by the end of this year).
While a frame image is
now regarded as being in the range
100 to 250 Megapixels. What a
change has taken place during this
seven year period!
I - Small-Format Frame Cameras
Single Camera Systems
Two representative examples of the small-for-
mat digital frame camera systems that are com-
mercially available and are in current use for
the acquisition of near-vertical airborne images
are those produced by MosaicMill Ltd. and
Geoniss. The Finnish-based compa-
ny acquired the well-established
business from the large Stora Enso forestry,
paper manufacturing, packaging and wood
products group in October 2009. Besides its
photogrammetric and image processing soft-
ware, EnsoMosaic is also offered as a complete
turnkey system for airborne imaging, including
the possibility of such an operation being con-
ducted on UAVs. The standard camera that is
offered as part of the overall EnsoMosaic sys-
tem is the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III digital SLR
camera with its 21 Megapixel image format.
However the Nikon D3x SLR camera with its
24.5 Megapixel format and the compact Sony
Alpha camera with its smaller 14.2 Megapixel
image have also been supplied to certain cus-
tomers as part of their system. Besides these
small-format cameras, the EnsoMosaic aerial
imaging system can also utilize Hasselblad
34
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Fig. 1 A Geoniss system with the digi-
tal SLR camera supported on its rotat-
able azimuth mount at right and with
the display screen of the control com-
puter at left. (Source: Geoniss)
Fig. 2 - Diagram showing the
principle of operation of a
stepping frame camera.
(Source: Goodrich)
medium-format cameras. Along with the cam-
era, MosaicMill also supplies the flight control
and camera electronics, including a GPS receiv-
er for flight navigation purposes, together with
the required planning, calibration, navigation
and imaging software. Similarly the air-
borne digital imaging system which comes
from the company in
Slovenia is designed specifically for use on
small and ultra-light aircraft. It comprises a cam-
era base plate incorporating a circular yaw
(heading) movement, together with appropri-
ate electronics and software to control the cam-
era exposures [Fig. 1]. The Nikon D3x digital SLR
camera is used as standard. However, like the
EnsoMosaic system from MosaicMill, the
Geoniss system can also utilize Hasselblad
medium-format frame cameras.
Multiple Camera Systems
The increasing use of small-format
frame cameras and images to provide greater
area coverage of the ground is a feature of the
current airborne imaging scene. One approach
is to generate a fan of vertical and oblique dig-
the cameras can be supplied with a CIR (colour
infra-red) capability. The twin cameras that are
used in the A3 system are equipped with folded
reflective mirror optics having a focal length (f)
of 300 mm and a maximum scan or sweep angle
of 104 degrees. A single cross-track scan or
sweep takes 4 seconds and generates up to 29
pairs of photographs. The twin-camera A3 unit
weighs 15 kg, while the accompanying on-board
control computer unit which includes an
OmniSTAR-supported GNSS receiver; a solid-
state memory; and an on-board JPEG 2000 pro-
cessing capability weighs a further 10 kg. A
complementary digital photogrammetric process-
ing system accompanies the A3 camera system.
Several of these A3 camera systems are already
in commercial operation, including two operated
by Fugro EarthData in the U.S.A.; a further two
that are in use with Aerodata International
Surveys from Belgium (which is now controlled
ital frame photos dur-
ing a single rapid rota-
tion of these cameras
in a series of steps in
the cross-track direc-
tion relative to the
flight line a technique
that is called step-
and-stare or sweep-
framing by the recon-
naissance community
[Fig. 2]. This technique
has been used for the
last decade or more
on military reconnaissance aircraft for exam-
ple on Tornado aircraft of the U.K.s Royal Air
Force; on F-16 aircraft of the Polish Air Force;
and on Predator-B UAVs operated by the U.S.
Air Force in each case, using purpose-built
camera systems that have been supplied by the
Goodrich Corporation in the U.S.A. The same
basic configuration of
has been adopted, albeit in a more compact
form, by two Israeli companies that are produc-
ing camera systems for use in commercial aeri-
al survey and mapping operations.
The first of these is the that has been
produced by the company from Tel
Aviv in Israel. This system employs twin digital
stepping frame cameras to generate pairs of 11
Megapixel panchromatic or RGB photographs
side-by-side during its cross-track scan or sweep
over the ground [Fig. 3]. At Intergeo 2010,
VisionMap announced that, if required, one of
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
35
December 2010
Fig. 3 (a) The VisionMap A3 twin stepping frame
camera system. (b) A diagram showing the pat-
terns of ground coverage that are generated by the
A3 camera system. The Single Frames are those
acquired by a single camera; the Double Frames
are those acquired simultaneously by the twin
cameras of the A3 system. The Super Large
Frame (SLF) comprises all the single and double
frames acquired during one specific sweep over
the ground. The SLF is a synthetic image formed
from the multiple A3 frame images covering a
large area and is intended for use in stereo-inter-
pretation and stereo-photogrammetric mapping.
(Source: VisionMap)
Fig. 4 The VisionMap MIST stepping frame camera for use in small UAV aircraft
with its single camera shown uncovered at (a) and encased at (b). (Source:
VisionMap}
Fig. 5 (a) Showing the ground coverage of the
forward and backward looking scans or sweeps
of the twin cameras forming part of the
Airborne Mapping Unit (AMU). (b) The twin
camera system of the AMU.
(Source: Tiltan Systems Engineering Ltd.)
[a]
[b]
[a] [b]
[a]
[b]
by the Pasco Corporation from Japan); a single
example by GetMapping in the U.K.; and anoth-
er by the Ofek mapping company in Israel. A fur-
ther development of this technology by
VisionMap is the system. This is based on
the same stepping frame camera principle, but
employs only a single small-format camera gen-
erating colour RGB imagery, instead of the twin
camera unit of the A3 [Fig. 4]. With its light weight
of 10 kg, the MIST system is intended principally
for use in small tactical UAVs.
The second stepping frame camera system
called the (AMU) was
introduced at Intergeo 2010. The system is pro-
duced by the
company, which is based in Petach Tikva in
Israel. Its development has been carried out in
partnership with , a
subsidiary of the Diamond aircraft manufactur-
ing company which is based in Austria. Again
twin frame cameras with 11 Megapixel CCD
arrays are used in conjunction with f = 300 mm
optics. However the configuration is somewhat
different to that of the VisionMap A3. With the
AMU system, one camera points in the forward
direction at slant angles of +16
0
to +45
0
, while
the other points in the backward direction at
slant angles of -16
0
to -45
0
[Fig. 5 (a)]. Each of
the two cameras steps to expose a fan or strip
of four frame photographs in the cross-track
direction sequentially. This sweep gives an
angular coverage of 19 degrees for each of the
two strips in the cross-track direction. The over-
all system includes a scanning, pointing and
stabilization (SPS) unit, which stabilizes the two
cameras around their pitch and roll axes and
controls the scanning angles of the rotatable
mirrors that are placed in front of the cameras
[Fig. 5 (b)]. A GPS receiver provides positional
information for geo-referencing purposes, with
the overall system being controlled via the sys-
tem PC. As with the
VisionMap system, the
Tiltan system is supplied
together with its so-called
, which comprises
photogrammetric software
that converts the acquired
image data into mapping
and modelling products, including the automat-
ed production of DTM data leading to the gen-
eration of true orthophotos and 3D urban mod-
els.
Maltese Cross Systems
This type of imaging system comprises a sin-
gle nadir (near-vertical) pointing frame camera
and four oblique pointing frame cameras, all of
which are mounted rigidly together in a spe-
cially built frame. Two of the oblique cameras
point in opposite directions cross-track, while
the remaining pair of oblique cameras point in
opposite directions along-track [Fig. 6]. The
resulting ground coverage of the five cameras
takes the distinctive form of a Maltese Cross.
The principal independent supplier of this type
of system is TrackAir, which is based both in
Oldenzaal in The Netherlands and in Orlando,
Florida. The implementation of this
imaging scheme is its system, which uti-
lizes five of the small-format Canon EOS 1Ds
Mark III cameras that have already been men-
tioned above. Each of the five cameras is fitted
with a Zeiss lens. In order to ensure the com-
plete rigidity and stability of the lens and cam-
era body, as required for photogrammetric
work, each of the Canon cameras is fitted into
an exoskeleton frame that ensures that no
movement can take place between these major
components [Fig. 7 (a)]. Each camera is then
calibrated by Applanix, which also supplies the
POS-AV position and orientation system if this
is required by the customer. TrackAir has sold
35 MIDAS systems to date [Fig. 7 (b)].
The TrackAir company has also designed a
with one vertical and eight
oblique pointing frame cameras [Fig. 8]. The
four additional cameras have the same align-
ment as the four oblique cameras of the exist-
ing five-camera MIDAS system, but each will
have a different oblique angular pointing. This
arrangement will extend the ground coverage
along the arms of the Maltese Cross.
Besides the established five-camera MIDAS sys-
tem, it is worth noting that TrackAir is also
introducing a compact small-format frame cam-
era system for use in light aircraft. This utilizes
a special mount that can be controlled either
manually or automatically. This mount allows
the installation of various camera configurations
such as single or dual vertical digital SLR cam-
eras; or a combination of a vertical and an
oblique camera; or a triple camera installation
comprising forward, vertical and backward
36
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Fig. 6 Diagram showing
the distinctive Maltese
Cross ground coverage of a
five camera system that pro-
duces a single near-vertical
photo and four oblique pho-
tos. (Drawn by Mike Shand)
Fig. 7 (a) Showing a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III at
left; the exoskeleton frame in the middle; and the
camera enclosed in its exoskeleton frame at right.
(b) A complete MIDAS system as fitted in a photo-
graphic aircraft. (Source: TrackAir)
[a]
[b]
pointing cameras. A further possible develop-
ment is the use of the larger-format (37.5
Megapixel) Leica S2 digital SLR camera, which
is under test by TrackAir at the present time.
II Medium-Format Frame
Cameras
By far the largest suppliers of medium-format
airborne digital frame cameras have been
Applanix (with its DSS camera systems) and
RolleiMetric (with its AIC metric cameras). Both
companies have been bought by Trimble which,
as a result, is now the largest supplier within
this category. So it was especially interesting to
see and hear about the new airborne camera
products from Trimble GeoSpatial that were
being introduced at Intergeo 2010. On the one
hand, the company introduced its
camera system which generates a
60 Megapixel frame image and can be equipped
with either f = 35 or 50 mm lenses that can be
interchanged by the user [Fig. 9 (a)]. The body
of the actual camera, which was formerly sup-
plied by Contax (which has gone out of busi-
ness), is now manufactured in-house by
Applanix. It includes a user-replaceable focal-
plane shutter cartridge. The overall DSS
WideAngle system is integrated with a POS-AV
(GPS/IMU) unit for direct geo-referencing and
patents, was acquired by from Canada,
which is well known as a major supplier of both
airborne and ground-based laser scanning sys-
tems. A large proportion of the Optech compa-
nys ALTM range of airborne laser scanners have
been sold integrated with medium-format digi-
tal frame cameras. Previously these cameras had
been supplied to Optech by RolleiMetric and
Applanix. However, in September 2008, Trimble
bought the TopoSys company and started to
compete in the airborne laser scanning market
with the Harrier scanner product that had been
developed by TopoSys. Besides which, Trimble
also acquired the RolleiMetric company in
September 2008 and it already owned Applanix.
Thus it was not unexpected that Optech would
seek a new camera supplier that was not owned
by a competitor. Through its acquisition of
DiMAC, Optech is now able to offer a varied
range of airborne digital cameras comprising
the twin-camera DiMAC Wide+; the DiMAC
Light+; and the DiMAC UltraLight+ models all
of which it can now produce and support in-
house. All three camera models are available
with 60 Megapixel digital backs generating RGB
images and they all utilize the DiMAC forward
motion compensation (FMC) technology. The
production of the DiMAC cameras is now being
undertaken in Optechs main facility in Vaughan,
Ontario, while the camera research and devel-
opment department will remain in Belgium.
Already the first fruits of this merger were to be
seen with a fully integrated ALTM scanner and
DiMAC UltraLight+ camera package that utilizes
a custom-built mount [Fig. 10].
In the article published in the June 2009 issue
of GEOInformatics, in which I reviewed the
range of DiMAC cameras that were available at
that time, the design of the six-camera
system was included. Since then,
a completely new design of this system has
been developed by DiMAC for the sole use of
the Cicade mapping company [Fig. 11]. At pre-
sent, there are no plans to market the system
commercially, neither by Cicade, nor by DiMAC.
As described in a previous article of mine that
was published in the September 2009 issue of
GEOInformatics, first entered
the medium-format airborne frame camera mar-
ket in 2007 with its RCD105 model that was
designed specifically for integration and con-
current operation with Leicas ALS series of air-
borne laser scanners. This product was followed
by the stand-alone RCD100 system in which
the camera was fully integrated with a control
electronics unit; with the companys IPAS
(Inertial Position & Attitude System); and with
the PAV80 gyro-stabilized mount. The actual
CH39 frame camera unit that was used in both
the RCD100 and RCD105 systems was sourced
also includes the Applanix POSTrack flight man-
agement system. The second product release
concerned the (formerly
the AIC metric camera), which is available in
both 39 and 60 Megapixel versions for the
acquisition of RGB or CIR frame images [Fig. 9
(b)]. A forward motion compensation (FMC)
capability for this camera was announced at
Intergeo. This allows a 2x increase in the maxi-
mum flight speed of the airborne platform and
a decrease of up to three stops in shutter speed
for typical flight altitudes. Existing examples of
the AIC camera can be upgraded to have this
FMC capability too. Trimble is also offering its
four-coupled with the
four medium-format cameras set in an oblique
but slightly overlapping block configuration and
encased in a rigid mount [Fig. 9 (c)]. After recti-
fication and stitching, the resulting four merged
images constitute a single large-format frame
image.
Another much smaller supplier of medium-for-
mat airborne cameras has been ,
which is based at Charleroi Airport in the south-
ern part of Belgium. Its range of cameras was
described in my article that was published in
the June 2009 issue of GEOInformatics. Three
months before Intergeo (in June 2010), the
DiMAC company, including its technology and
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Ar t i cl e
37
December 2010
Fig. 8 CAD drawings of the proposed nine camera system comprising one vertical pointing camera and
eight oblique pointing cameras - (a) a side view showing the stacked cameras; and (b) a view of the system as
seen from below. (Source: TrackAir)
Fig. 9 (a) At right is the Trimble DSS WideAngle camera system with its accompanying IMU, both of which
have been mounted on the systems base plate that can be rotated in azimuth. At left is the control cabinet
with its stack of drawers containing the integrated POS-AV direct geo-referencing system and the system con-
trol electronics, with the system display monitor placed on top of the cabinet. (b) The ruggedized Trimble
Aerial Camera with its control electronics box placed on top of the camera. (c) The Trimble Aerial Camera x4
comprising four medium-format frame cameras that are set in an oblique pointing block configuration with-
in a rigid cylindrical box. (Source: Trimble GeoSpatial Division)
[a] [b]
[a]
[b] [c]
from Geospatial Systems in the U.S.A. However,
at Intergeo 2010, came the announcement of a
completely new series of RCD30 medium-for-
mat frame cameras. These new cameras are
being made in-house by Leica and are very sub-
stantially different in their design and construc-
tion to the earlier RCD100/105 models.
Each RCD30 frame camera [Fig. 12 (a)] features
(i) a 60 Megapixel CCD array (instead of the 39
Megapixel arrays that were used in the previ-
ous RCD100/105 models); (ii) a between-the-
lens shutter (instead of a focal plane shutter);
and (iii) a forward motion compensation (FMC)
capability that operates along two axes (line-
of-flight and cross-track). The variant of
the camera features twin CCD arrays that receive
their respective images via a beam splitter to
generate (i) an RGB colour image (using a Bayer
mosaic pattern filter), and (ii) an NIR image
simultaneously. When the two images are co-
registered, a colour infra-red (CIR) image will
result. The variant of the camera is not
fitted with the beam splitter and has only a sin-
gle CCD array, so it produces only the RGB
colour image. The camera system control box
can handle up to five CH-6x cameras simulta-
neously. This allows single, dual, triple, quadru-
ple and quintuple configurations to be imple-
mented for image data acquisition. The Duo
pod and mount for dual camera operation is
shown in Figs. 12 (b) and (c).
The range of modular medi-
umformat frame cameras were also reviewed
in another (separate) article of mine that also
appeared in the September 2009 issue of
GEOInformatics. This highlighted the large range
of camera configurations that are offered by IGI
using between one and five cameras in every
possible configuration to acquire both vertical
and oblique aerial photography, either in com-
bination or separately. These different configu-
rations can be implemented in combination
with a wide range of lenses with focal lengths
varying from 28 to 300 mm. Yet another varia-
tion is possible in terms of the format size; cur-
rently three different sizes 39, 50 and 60
Megapixels are being offered. As with those
other suppliers who offer airborne laser scan-
ning systems, many of the single DigiCAM cam-
eras are being supplied fully integrated with
IGIs LiteMapper laser scanner products.
At Intergeo 2010, IGI displayed the latest ver-
sion of its Quattro-DigiCAM camera fitted into a
new outer case [Fig. 13 (a)], which in turn fits
directly into modern gyro-stabilized mounts
such as the Somag GSM 3000 or the Leica
PAV30 and PAV80 models. The Quattro-DigiCAM
has its four medium-format frame cameras
closely coupled together, with each tilted in an
oblique but overlapping block configuration
[Fig. 13 (b)]. The shutters in each of the four
cameras expose their low oblique images simul-
taneously and with a very high degree of syn-
chronization. After rectification and stitching, the
four merged images produce a final large-for-
mat frame image that is either 145, 191 or 235
Megapixels in size depending on which digi-
tal backs (either 39, 50 or 60 Megapixels) have
been fitted to the individual DigiCAM cameras.
IGI is also offering its airborne ther-
mal-IR frame camera system which operates in
the 8 to 14 m wavelength range. The actual
camera is based on the Jenoptik unit which uses
an uncooled micro-bolometer focal plane array
(FPA) to produce a frame image that is 640 x
480 pixels in size. The camera is linked to IGIs
own DigiControl control unit with its TFT touch-
screen display [Fig. 14]. IGI has also partnered
with the Dutch company to offer a
complete UAV system that uses IGIs DigiCAM
or DigiTHERM cameras in combination with its
AEROcontrol (GPS/IMU) system to acquire geo-
referenced imagery [Fig. 15].
The company is incorporated
in the U.S.A., but has its research and develop-
ment facility in Israel. It is yet another company
that is offering a complete package comprising
an airborne digital photographic imaging system
and an accompanying highly automated pho-
togrammetric system (called IPS2.OT) that pro-
duces mapping and modelling products from the
acquired airborne imagery. The
(IDM) digital photographic system com-
prises three major components or units. (i) The
first of these consists of the actual camera and
its mount [Fig. 16 (a)]. These are placed in a pro-
tective box that can be moved out on slides
externally into the airstream when the aircraft
reaches the target area that is to be pho-
tographed from the air. The camera mount is sta-
bilized in roll and pitch using the signals from a
two-axes gyro, while the signals from a GPS
receiver equipped with two antennas are used
to correct the heading or yaw movement in
azimuth. The camera can either be a single unit,
as in the system, or the system can uti-
lize three cameras, as in the IDM 600 system. A
medium-format digital SLR camera producing 60
Megapixel RGB colour images is the current stan-
dard with the IDM 200 system. An 80 Megapixel
digital back will be available soon. As for the
system, a typical installation comprises two
medium-format digital frame cameras exposing
60 Megapixel RGB and CIR images respectively,
with the third camera being a thermal-IR unit
exposing frame images that are 640 x 480 pix-
els in size [Fig. 16 (b)]. Several other combina-
tions of cameras are possible with the IDM 600
for example, three RGB cameras for wide swath
coverage or a combination of RGB + NIR + ther-
mal-IR came ras. (ii) The second major compo-
nent of the system consists of a box that con-
tains the control electronics, storage media, etc.
which remains inside the body of the aircraft
at all times. (iii) The overall control of the sys-
tem, including the flight management, naviga-
tion and camera exposure control operations, is
carried out by the camera operator using a suit-
ably programmed laptop computer, which forms
the third major component of the system.
38
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Fig.10 This illustration shows an integrated
ALTM scanner & DiMAC camera package from
Optech. At left are an Orion ALTM laser scanner
and a DiMAC UltraLight+ medium-format frame
camera, which are mounted together on a custom-
built tiltable mount; in the middle are a laptop
computer and a small system display monitor;
while at right is the IT Cube with its control and
data acquisition electronics and computers and its
removable data storage units. (Source: Optech)
Fig. 11 (a) This CAD drawing shows the arrange-
ment of the new DiMACoblique camera system - with
its twin vertically pointing cameras and four oblique
pointing cameras. (b) This diagram shows the ground
coverage of the DiMACoblique camera system the
green box showing the combined coverage of the
twin vertical frame cameras, while the red boxes
(linked to the angular cones of coverage) show the
ground coverage of the four oblique frame cameras.
(Source: Cicade)
[a]
[b]
Ar t i cl e
On show on the stand was the
latest version of the companys
medium-format airborne digital camera. This
has a rather unique design utilizing four frame
cameras [Fig. 17]. Two of these cameras oper-
ate side-by-side to generate an image that is
9.5k x 6.6k pixels = 64 Megapixels in size.
Forward motion compensation to ensure blur-
free images is achieved using CCD arrays incor-
porating Time Delayed Integration (TDI) tech-
nology. A further pair of frame cameras expose
smaller-format colour (RGB) and NIR images
Information about yet another system compris-
ing multiple medium-format frame cameras
called the system was given in posters
and a brochure that were available on the stand
of the company,
which is an offshoot of the Chinese Aca demy
of Surveying & Mapping. The SWDC is an inte-
grated system with four oblique-pointing frame
cameras arranged in an overlapping block con-
figuration and firing simultaneously from a sin-
gle station in the air which is similar in its
basic concept to that of the IGI Quattro-DigiCAM
and the Trimble Aerial Camera x4 that have
already been discussed above. The final recti-
fied, stitched and merged large-format frame
image which is produced from the set of four
39 Megapixel medium-format images that have
been exposed simultaneously by the SWDC
camera is 145 Megapixels in size.
III Large-Format Frame
Cameras
With regard to large-format digital frame cam-
eras, there is a very simple choice. On the one
hand, there is the new
camera with its single monolithic CCD array gen-
respectively, each of which is 5.4k x 3.8k pixels
= 20 Megapixels in size. The data from these
smaller-format images may be used to colour-
ize the pan image, for instance to generate
false-colour (CIR) images. A new version of this
camera called the was
announced at Intergeo 2010. In this improved
model, the main panchromatic image produced
by the twin cameras will be increased in size
to 11.7k x 7.9k pixels = 92 Megapixels, while
the two smaller-format RGB and NIR images are
5.3k x 3.6k pixels = 19 Megapixels in size.
www.g.net/g2011 www.onigt.ma/g2011 (French and Arabic)
FIG Working Week 2011
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1822 MAY, MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
Fig. 12 (a) The new Leica Geosystems RCD30 medium-format airborne digital frame camera. (b) & (c) - CAD
drawings showing the mount for the dual camera version of the Leica RCD30 as seen from above in (b); and
as seen from below in (c). (Source: Leica Geosystems)
[a] [b] [c]
erating large-format pan frame images. The
cameras pan imager is supplemented by four
medium-format (42 Megapixel) CCD arrays that
produce separate multi-spectral frame images
in the red, green, blue (RGB) and NIR parts of
the spectrum. These images can be used to
colourize the large-format pan frame images to
produce colour and false-colour images if this
is required. As described in my recent article on
the DMC II camera that was published in the
July/August 2010 issue of GEOInformatics, the
current DMC II140 model generates a 140
Megapixel pan frame image. Already ten of
these cameras have been delivered, supple-
menting the 100+ examples of the previous
DMC model that had already been supplied to
users. Apparently the first deliveries of the
newest and still larger-format DMC II230 and
DMC II250 models with their 230 and 250
Megapixel frame images will start soon. For
most visitors, Intergeo 2010 was the first oppor-
tunity to see the new DMC II camera at first
hand. It should be noted that, if the camera is
supplied without the large-format pan imager,
it then becomes the product, which is
purely a medium-format four-channel multi-
spectral frame camera.
The alternative product to the DMC II is the
large-format frame camera.
This utilizes an array of small- and medium-for-
mat CCDs to expose their images in a very rapid
time series from a single position in the air to
produce (after processing and merging) its final
pan frame image which is 17.3k x 11.3k pixels
= 196 Megapixels in size. Again this large-for-
mat pan imaging capability is supplemented by
four small-format multi-spectral (RGB + NIR)
cameras, each of which generates frame images
that are 5.7k x 3.8k pixels = 22 Megapixels in
size and can be used to colourize the large-for-
mat pan image. The UltraCam Xp is available
in two flavours (i) the standard model, which
is equipped with lenses having focal lengths of
100 mm (for its pan imager) and 33 mm (for
each of the multi-spectral channels) respective-
ly; and (ii) the wide-angle model with lenses
having focal length values of 70 mm (pan) and
23 mm (multi-spectral) respectively. Various
models (UC-D, UC-X & UC-Xp) in the UltraCam
large-format frame camera series have been
released successively since 2003. Reportedly a
total of over 150 units have been sold to date.
Thus it has proven to be very popular with aeri-
al photographic companies and with commer-
cial and national mapping agencies.
Other than the DMC II and the UltraCam Xp
cameras, then, as discussed above, the alter-
native route to the acquisition of large-format
frame images is to utilize the integrated four-
coupled medium-format camera systems such
as the IGI Quattro-DigiCAM; the Trimble Aerial
Camera x4; and the Chinese SWDC camera and
then rectify, stitch together and merge the
resulting images.
Conclusion
The Intergeo 2010 exhibition showcased the rich
variety of airborne digital frame cameras that
are currently available on the market with a
huge range of format sizes, focal lengths, cam-
era configurations and supporting systems.
Even the most discerning and demanding cus-
tomer might (or should) be satisfied with the
choice that is currently being offered.
Gordon Petrie is Emeritus Professor of Topographic
Science in the School of Geographical & Earth
Sciences of the University of Glasgow, Scotland,
U.K. E-mail - Gordon.Petrie@ges.gla.ac.uk; Web Site -
http://web2.ges.gla.ac.uk/~gpetrie
40
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
Fig. 13 The IGI Quattro-DigiCAM as displayed at
Intergeo 2010, with (a) the view of the newly
designed case containing the four cameras and the
accompanying AEROcontrol GPS/IMU system, as
seen from above, and (b) the view from beneath the
multiple camera system, showing the four oblique
pointing camera lenses in their block configura-
tion. (Source:IGI)
Fig. 14 (a) At the left side of this photo is the TFT
touch-screen display; in the middle is the
DigiControl control unit; while at right is the
DigiTHERM thermal-IR frame camera. (b) This
Dual-DigiTHERM system, with its twin cameras
pointing obliquely on either side of the flight line,
has been placed in a cylindrical adapter box that
fits into a Somag GSM 3000 gyro-stabilized mount.
The IMU from an AEROcontrol system (which is
contained in the red box) has been placed on a
shelf directly above the two DigiTHERM cameras.
(Source: IGI)
Fig. 15 (a) A Geocopter UAV. (b) The view from
beneath the UAV showing an IGI DigiCAM camera
and the storage box for the controller and data
storage units. (c) The view of the camera compart-
ment from above, showing the DigiCAM camera
(lower) and the IMU of the AEROcontrol system
(upper) on their shared mount. (Source: IGI)
Fig. 16 (a) An overall view of an Icaros Digital
Mapper (IDM) system showing the controller unit
mounted inside the aircraft, while the unit con-
taining the camera and its mount has been moved
out into the shooting or exposing position which
is located external to the aircraft. (b) This illustra-
tion shows the three major components of an
Icaros IDM 600 system. At left is the laptop com-
puter; in the middle is the electonics control unit;
while at right is the camera unit containing the
three cameras two of them are Phase One medi-
um-format digital SLR cameras, while the third is a
thermal-IR frame camera. (Souce: Icaros
Geosystems)
Fig. 17 (a) The Vexcel
UltraCam L camera show-
ing the arrangement of
its four lenses capturing twin pan and single RGB
and NIR images respectively. (b) Showing the drawer
of electronics cards in the upper part of the camera
that control the cameras operations. (Source: Vexcel
Imaging)
[a] [b] [a]
[b]
[c]
[a] [b]
[a]
[b]
[b]
[a]
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Esri EMEA User Conference 2010
Italy, INSPIRE and Imagery
With 1500 visitors, the Esri EMEA User Conference is becoming larger and larger. This year's event was held in Rome, Italy.
During 26-28th of October, the Ergife Palace Hotel was the stage for three days of keynotes and presentations by Esri
users and partners.
by Eric van Rees
No less than 1500 visitors were welcomed
at the Esri EMEA User Conference 2010. The
main topics were the major new release of
ArcGIS 10, the INSPIRE directive and the fusion
between imagery and GIS, all of which were
discussed several times during the event.
Although these topics were expected to be
high on the agenda, others such as mobile
GIS were slowly emerging. For instance, loca-
tion-aware devices promise to be very inter-
esting for the GIS market in the coming years,
not only in terms of using citizens as data col-
lectors and sharers through different types of
social media, but also for business GIS (loca-
tion based advertising for example).
The first conference day featured a keynote
speech by Jack Dangermond, as well as sev-
eral European keynotes and a number of tech-
nical presentations and demonstrations of
ArcGIS 10. The following two days highlight-
ed a series of user presentations (or paper
sessions), in no less than ten different tracks.
ArcGIS 10
Before his keynote speech, Dangermond was
presented with a lifetime achievement award
by Esri Italia, which celebrated its 20th
anniversary this year. The following keynote,
named 'GIS for Everyone', stressed that ArcGIS
10 was a major release, because it includes
not only desktop, but also mobile and server
platforms, which together form one integrat-
ed GIS platform. Apart from the desktop, serv-
er and federated approach, a pervasive
approach through cloud/web GIS and the
mobile device can be seen. A great deal of
the keynote was about ArcGIS Online and the
basemap initiative, where authoritative carto-
graphic data is provided by cartographic orga-
nizations worldwide to produce a basemap of
the whole world. It was interesting to see that
an Open Street Map template is used for hard
to reach locations, such as the city of Algiers.
The following three keynotes showed a
glimpse of what to expect for the coming two
days: topics discussed were GIS and humani-
tarian aid, environmental information in
Europe and intergovernmental geo-intelli-
gence. Apart from user presentations such as
these, various technical presentations and
demonstrations could be followed, given by
Esri staff worldwide.
Trimble
Michelle Frey and Lee Braybrooke from
Trimble presented different GPS and GIS appli-
cations used for rail infrastructure manage-
ment in Canada and the U.S. One of the tasks
was to create a database that describes the
network and wayside assets (tracks, mile-
42
Event
December 2010
Before his keynote speech, Esri President Jack Dangermond was presented with a lifetime achievement award by Esri Italia.
posts, switches etc.) of the railway company
and to keep the track database updated as
changes occur in the field. To facilitate field
and office use, a combination of four compo-
nents was created: Esri ArcGIS mobile, Esri
ArcGIS Server, Trimble post processing and
Trimble devices for use in the field. The field
users include mobile staff as well as inspec-
tors, maintenance crews and construction
workers. The office users are GIS analysts.
Since there are a lot of assets to be main-
tained and mapped, the system requires rapid
data collection, via simple data entry forms.
Although not as accurate as employing sur-
veying instruments, the end solution guaran-
tees highly accurate data capture of assets
and precise positional information for each. It
also enables a seamless transfer of data direct
from the field, travel time savings, and an
almost real-time review of project progress.
ITT
ITT Visual Information Solutions was in atten-
dance with a presentation called 'Image
Analysis Techniques for Disaster Management
and Monitoring'. Cherie Darnel presented a
number of case studies in which image anal-
ysis techniques were used for disaster man-
agement.
First, she showed how remote sensing was
used for damage analysis after Hurricane
Katrina. She then went on to explain how
change detection, as well as assessments,
was done on a regional, neighborhood and
per-building level. Qualitative analysis was
done with ArcGIS for the assessment of flood-
ed areas. For this, available Quickbird and
LiDAR data were used.
Quantitative and qualitative analyses were
combined for a case study of the Indian
Ocean tsunami. Here, extracted building out-
lines and locations were viewed, evacuation
routes were planned and the most distressed
or flooded areas requiring immediate assis-
tance were identified.
In Western North America, mountain pine bee-
tle outbreaks can result in the loss of millions
of pine trees. Through forestry analysis, the
damage to the forest can be analyzed. The
steps required are as follows: calculate the
NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation
Index), calculate the vegetation difference
and, the last step, perform post classification
clean up.
In her conclusion, Darnel made clear that
image analysis and GIS, when used together,
can have powerful results, such as the ability
to perform advanced analytics using imagery-
derived data, and geodatabases that are eas-
ily updated with the availability of current
imagery.
presentation on the Eagle product was given
by Frits van der Schaaf (Esri The Netherlands).
He focused on how a netcentric and mapcen-
tric approach for crisis management and
emergency response could serve as a 'com-
mon operational picture' where different par-
ties share the same information rather than
just a piece of the puzzle. The system com-
bines GIS, the web and general IT to share
and update information when managing dis-
asters. Making this 'common operational pic-
ture' happen requires a steady technological
infrastructure (internet connection, a lot of
bandwidth, etc.) and audience members
asked if this was actually the case in disaster
areas such as Pakistan, where Eagle was
applied successfully.
GIS and Humanitarian Response
The Humanitarian Response track concluded
with three strong presentations. Inna Cruz
from the Geneva International Centre for
Humanitarian Demining presented a project
called SERWIS, a server for the global con-
tamination from the explosive remnants of
war (SERWIS is short for Server for Explosive
Remnants of War Information Systems). With
the project, overview maps are created of
areas where mines are located but have not
yet been disarmed. Not only is the location
mapped, but also the population density in
the contaminated areas, which enable the
potential dangers to be estimated. The aim
of the project is to display data on a global
scale, which is badly needed, because collect-
ed vector data is unable to show the real con-
tamination problem on such a scale. Output
maps have four different layers: the first layer
shows the ERW (explosive remnants of war)
contamination, the second layer illustrates the
field activity, layer three shows the impact and
layer four the operational difficulties for dem-
ining. Critical points for this project are data
accuracy and sensitivity of the data (if the
data is available at all).
Next year, the Esri EMEA User Conference will
be hosted in Madrid, Spain (26-28 October
2011), followed by the Esri Middle East and
Africa Conference in Lebanon (1-3 November
2011).
Internet:
www.esri.com/events/EMEA
www.ittvis.com
www.sdi-suite.com
www.esri.com/INSPIRE
www.isma.org
ITT announced ENVI 4.8 and ENVI for ArcGIS
Server. ENVI 4.8 now includes full integration
with ArcGIS, making image analysis tools
accessible directly from within the ArcGIS
interface (accessible through the ArcGIS tool-
box). The release also includes functionality
for viewing LiDAR data in a display as well as
a new automated process for viewshed anal-
ysis, giving users situational awareness from
fixed vantage points.
GIS and INSPIRE
INSPIRE was a central theme for this conference,
not just because of the location of the event
(Europe) but because the INSPIRE deadline is
getting closer and closer. This is causing soft-
ware companies and government agencies to
get their acts together and work hard to offer
software solutions, and get the data right.
Announced during Intergeo, but discussed in
detail during this event, the ArcGIS for INSPIRE
product was showcased during a presentation
from con terra GmbH, which developed the
product.
ArcGIS for INSPIRE includes a commercial exten-
sion to ArcGIS Server as well as Esri's open
source solutions for geoportals. With this, it
is possible to manage and publish metadata,
manage and publish geospatial data and con-
sume INSPIRE data and services. On top of this,
there are also a number of add-ons from the
sdi.suite from con terra. These enable extend-
ed data sharing and monitoring, and report-
ing of quality control, usage accounting and
the like. To make things a little more clear,
Christian Elfers from con terra outlined a sce-
nario for applying ArcGIS for INSPIRE for a pub-
lic agency that owns and manages a dataset
of the administrative boundaries of Europe.
Elfers identified three tasks for the product:
first, the use of data models for spatial data
sets that are compliant with INSPIRE data spec-
ifications. Second, the integration of business
processes and the transformation of data, into
INSPIRE. Third, access via INSPIRE network from
UML models to enterprise geodatabase
schema (in other words, publish an INSPIRE
Network Service, a web services extension to
ArcGIS Server). For performing the second
task, an add-on from FME is available, called
the FME INSPIRE Solution Pack, which can be
used to simplify the complex INSPIRE schema
mapping.
GIS and Disaster Management
There were also a number of Dutch presenta-
tions: the Railways Management track fea-
tured a presentation on the integration of
three databases of the Dutch Railway Network
(GIS, SAP, Infra Atlas Triangle), by Juliette van
Driel from ProRail. During the 'Techniques and
Methods for Disaster Management' track, a
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Event
43
December 2010
44
Event
December 2010
Top users of Bentley software get invited to participate in the Be INSPIRED Awards 2010. Interesting, innovative
and sometimes mindboggling projects fight for their moment of fame.
By Remco Takken
Be Inspired 2010
3D to Mobile to Integrated
Data Model
Approximately four hundred invitees from all
over the world gathered around the fifty five
finalists for the Be INSPIRED Awards 2010, held
in Amsterdam. It soon became apparent that
this was not some cooked-up awards meeting.
According to Bentley, the quality of the live pre-
sentations of top Bentley users was to be
judged by a panel of former winners, journal-
ists and skilled users. However, at least one of
the winners, Odense Kommune, had not been
presenting.
While the track Innovation in Government, host-
ed by Bentleys Richard Zambuni, focused main-
ly on geospatial issues during the two-day event,
many aspects of spatial information were seen
in other categories.
An interesting observation was that all nominees
in the Government category were Danish. This
might be due to the firm legislation and forward-
looking attitude of the geospatial community in
that country.
Odense Kommune
The winner was the on-the-Fly 3D City and
Urban Modeling of Odense Kommune. This
Danish municipality devised a method for
dynamically updating their 3D models so they
can be used in future workflows. The process
retrieves existing GIS data and generates
objects on the fly. These objects automatically
update when changes are made in the data
register or base map.
Using the GenerativeComponents element sen-
sor, any object with a geographical represen-
tation can be generated, such as buildings,
roads and street furniture like benches and
lamp posts. The 3D objects inherit the attribute
links or semantic data, so they can be used
for GIS enquiries and analysis. This produces
a simplified 3D city model which can be gen-
erated quickly for large areas.
GIS4Mobile
Of the finalists, the GIS4Mobile project was
deceptively simple, and thereby the one with
the broadest appeal. The solution, presented
by GeoSite, connected an online mobile GPS-
enabled device to MicroStation allowing users
to send and receive data wirelessly. This can
be any smartphone, tablet PC or handheld (like
the Trimble Juno they showed in their exam-
ple).
The system can be dissected in three parts:
Mobile (cellphone, handheld GPS), webserver
(Geobox using GML) and GIS, synchronizing the
service and application.
Using a spatial Web service developed for this
project, municipal work crews can use mobile
phones to capture and submit photos and
attributes from the field. The background
default when working online is Google aerial
photo material. However, the live demo fell flat
because only Danish data had been uploaded,
which was invisible during the conference.
A nice feature was the manual map adjustment
tool. When registering dangerous regions
where surveyors typically dont want to go, reg-
istration is still possible by shuffling the map
around. Managers can transmit design file data
from MicroStation to mobile phones to indi-
cate locations for inspection.
The MicroStation application GeoSync, imports
and exports data from the GIS4Mobile spatial
server, such as position, attributes and images.
It synchronizes deleted items and adds time
stamps, while maintaining a local link (shad-
ow file). Modified elements are detected auto-
matically using checksum.
Tvilum
The third Danish nominee, geodetic company
Tvilum Landinspektrfirma, showed its solu-
tion for mapping using Web Feature Services
(WFS). This Danish surveyor routinely checks
cadastral and construction drawings to ensure
they conform to restrictions. The challenge is
to retrieve these restrictions from multiple
servers, which requires manual retrieval and
tracking when the data is updated.
Tvilum uses national vector base maps with
attributes from different map providers: cadas-
tral, topographic, nature and environmental,
municipality and local area plans, and admin-
istrative boundaries.
The goal of this $100,000 project was to devel-
op a workflow that saves time and ensures that
official and up-to-date data is used. Typical
problems that arose in the existing workflow
were based around outdated maps. End users
typically worked from locally stored copies, and
no one knew whether the map was up to date
or not. Now all map providers in Denmark are
able to deliver maps through WFS and a map
area can be requested by bounding box. The
preferred Microstation application of use here
is WFS Booster. Multiple maps from different
providers can now be downloaded simultane-
ously in just a few seconds, and with a single
click.
XFM Moves Maps to Integrated GIS
Telefnica O2, a major operator of voice and
data services in the Czech Republic, talked
about its implementation of Oracle Spatial and
MicroStation V8i plus XFM. The operator con-
sistently maintains accurate and complex
documentation for its network. The goal of the
project was to provide more efficient do cu -
mentation. Therefore, the geodetic style of data
capture was abandoned in favour of a data
model based on the description of real objects.
Also, there was a very strong wish to be able
to handle mass data updates and to allow
offline data updates done by external suppli-
ers.
Latest News? Visit www.geoinformatics.com
Event
45
December 2010
CEO Greg Bentley and Resilience,
the recurring theme from his
assessment of everything Bentley.
Bentleys Bhupinder Singh during his overview of
current Bentley products like Asset Wise and
Project Wise.
Cable tracks, schematics and information from
other OSS systems were to be integrated. As
for the storage of the data, duplication was
to be avoided, so an open standard had to
be applied for all users to access the data.
The open data model was built around
Bentleys own XFM schema, itself based on
XML. The new data model was dramatically
simplified from 3000 to 189 features. The data
is now stored in SDO DB instead of DGN files,
complete with XFM feature (SDO_Geometry
plus XML Fragment) and history tracking.
Data migration was pulled off automatically
from DGN V7 to SDO_XFM. In this way, more
than 140,000 DGN files were scattered into
250,000,000 features.
Whole Event
The grand total of more than 50 finalists, rep-
resenting 21 countries, is one of the more over-
whelming facts surrounding the Be INSPIRED
Awards 2010 event. Over the course of 2011,
many best practices, case studies and exam-
ples from those finalists will appear in the
media.
Because not all participants seemed to welcome
huge press coverage, and because none of the
presentations is available online, the Award
event itself will maintain its position as a unique
gathering of exceptional minds, all Bentley
users. In the near future, Bentley will publish
its 2010 edition of the book The Year in
Infrastructure. This will no doubt be a valuable
handbook for those who were unfortunate
enough not to be there. With so many presen-
tations going on in two days, one easily miss-
es a vast amount of them. That is exactly what
happens if you choose to showcase only four
examples for an article like this. So stay tuned
for more detailed, in-depth reports on some of
the other exceptional finalists of Be INSPIRED
2010.
Internet:
www.bentley.com/enUS/Community/
BE+Awards/2010
46
Event
December 2010
On-the-Fly 3D City and Urban Modeling of Odense Kommune, Danmark, BE INSPIRED winner in the category Innovation In Government. Bentleys
GenerativeComponents product offers a parametric modeling capability that leverages GIS data to swiftly create 3D City models. Image courtesy of Bentley.
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Advanced Spatial Analysis
Intergraph GeoMedia 3D
GeoMedia 3D is the latest addition to the Intergraph GeoMedia product suite, a set of integrated applications that offers a
wide range of geospatial processing capabilities across multiple industries, including defense, intelligence, government,
transportation, utilities, communications, public safety, and security applications.
By Wayne Smith
GeoMedia 3D fully integrates the
advanced spatial analysis and data
capture of GeoMedia with the 3D vir-
tual earth style of presentation pop-
ular in todays mainstream consumer
mapping applications. This combina-
tion delivers more precise visualiza-
tion of surface and environmental
characteristics for increased insight,
data accuracy, and user productivity.
Intergraph included 3D visualization
with GeoMedia products in recent
years. However, the 3D visualization
was a separate application outside of
GeoMedia. Users could export a surface to view in 3D, but had to leave
the application and return to GeoMedia to make any adjustments to the
geospatial data.
Vertical Applications
The new functionality will enhance infrastructure management, land infor-
mation management, geospatial intelligence exploitation and production,
cartographic production, and public safety and security solutions, and pro-
vide more realistic reporting and analysis across all solutions where
GeoMedia is deployed.
Examples of specific vertical applications include, among many others:
strengthening security and military assessment through realistic 3D simu-
lations; evaluating sub-terrain interference for utility lines; Creating hotspot
maps for crimes and representing other statistical data in 3D; providing
visuals of a destination to assist dispatchers in communication with first
responders; capturing elevation data in realistic 3D views; Assessing the
community and environmental impact of government and transportation
development projects; providing the public with project visualization.
Users can also dynamically integrate surfaces, imagery, feature data, and
vector data to create a 3D view of all data sources in a GeoMedia 3D map
window, enabling rapid assessment of fast-changing conditions. GeoMedia
3D also allows users to import pre-built city models and other readily avail-
able 3D files from organizations such as Google into their projects, as well
as perform fly-throughs of areas of interest and save them as video files
for viewing and distribution.
Project Visualization
One of the benefits that GeoMedia 3D offers is project visualization. For
example, a government organization planning a downtown development
can fly through an area in 3D during a public hearing and show citizens
exactly what the completed project will look like. Instead of relying on maps
and artist renderings, the 3D view helps eliminate confusion and provides
a clearer understanding of the impact of the development project.
One GeoMedia customer the City-Parish Planning Commission in Baton
Rouge, La., -- expects to realize imme-
diate benefits from GeoMedia 3D.
Weve been using GeoMedia Grid and
we can bring GeoMedia 3D into that
realm where were looking at the land
form and bringing in data in three
dimensions rather than always just
looking at something in plan view,
said Warren Kron Jr., the coordinator
of the planning commissions GIS divi-
sion. If its at a public hearing or a
meeting outside the office, we can
show what a development will look
like within the context of the city.
The ability to locate targets with subterranean views of underground infras-
tructure can prove valuable for utilities. For instance, if a utility needs to
replace an underground line in a historic district and wants to minimize
the impact of drilling, 3D views could help pinpoint infrastructure loca-
tions and minimize disruption.
For public safety dispatchers, a 3D view enables them to tell emergency
first responders what to expect when they arrive.
The integrated technology helps users better understand the environment
in which they are working. Whether its crime statistics or the number of
accidents along a highway, GeoMedia 3D users can easily distinguish the
location of peak areas. For example, utilities wanting to gauge pressure
readings of fire hydrants can extrude the hydrants and rapidly identify
those with low pressure.
Another benefit of GeoMedia 3D is it leverages the attribute-based sym-
bology (ABS) of GeoMedia to control 3D symbolization. You can use differ-
ent 3D symbols as a means to communicate more effectively. Instead of
just using push pins to highlight high-crime areas, for example, a gun sym-
bol could indicate that an area needs a more serious response.
Supporting Different Workflows
When Intergraph researched how users would want to use GeoMedia 3D,
two workflows emerged. One workflow is characterized by performing all
tasks in the 3D map window (convert to 3D and go) and the other by
using the 3D map window as a supplement to a 2D map window. GeoMedia
3D can support both workflows. It coordinates between the 2D and 3D
map windows for selection and location to keep the two map windows in
synchronization. You can also use just one map window for all of the work.
You can choose to work one way and then change at any point through
the use of a 2D/3D map window conversion. This allows you to select the
most appropriate workflow for the task at hand, while providing optimal
productivity.
Internet: www.intergraph.com/geomedia3d.
48
Ar t i cl e
December 2010
2
0
1
1
The european 3D simulation and visualization event
www.imagina.mc
Urbanism and Landscape conference track:
How can 3D improve the prospects of an urban area, town or city?
How is georeferenced 3D adopted by engineering firms?
Natural environments can 3D help us to preserve them more effectively?
Architecture conference track:
Digital modeling in all its forms
What BIM could and should be and what it will be in the future
+
+
Calendar 2011
Advertiser Page
CycloMedia www.cyclomedia.com 9
DGI www.defencegeospatial.com 27
DigitalGlobe www.digitalglobe.com 52
Esri www.esri.com 13
FIG www.fig.net/fig2011 39
Geodis www.geodis.cz 11
Imagina www.imagina.mc 49
ITC www.itc.nl 26
Leica Geosystems www.leica-geosystems.com 31
NovAtel www.secretofsix.com 19
Optech www.optech.ca 41
Pacific Crest www.pacificcrest.com 46
Sokkia www.sokkia.eu 23
Stonex www.stonexeurope.com 2
SuperMap www.supermap.com 51
Topcon www.topcon.eu 47
Vexcel www.vexcel.com 21
Advertisers Index
January
05-07 January GeoDesign Summit
Redlands, CA, U.S.A.
Internet: www.geodesignsummit.com
18-21 January Geospatial World Forum 2011
Hyderabad, India
Tel: +91 9313292284
Fax: +91 120 4612555/666
E-mail: vaishali.dixit@gisdevelopment.net
Internet: www.geospatialworldforum.org
19-21 January Esri Federal User Conference
Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Internet: www.esri.com/events/feduc/index.html
24-27 January DGI Europe 2011
QE II Centre London, London, U.K.
E-mail: conference@wbr.co.uk
Internet: www.wbresearch.com/dgieurope/home.aspx
February
01-03 February Imagina
Monaco
Internet: www.imagina.mc/2011/content/Home/homeUK.php
07-09 February 11th International LiDAR Mapping Forum
Astor Crowne Plaza, New Orleans, LA, U.S.A.
Internet: www.lidarmap.org
07-09 February 6th EARSeL Workshop Remote Sensing of
Snow and Glaciers: Cryosphere, Hydrology and Climate
Interactions
University of Bern, Switzerland
Internet: www.earsel.org/SIG/Snow-Ice/workshops.php
07-18 February Water Scarcity Winter School "Analysing,
mapping and evaluating spatio-temporal water scarcity
problems"
Salzburg, Austria
E-mail: waterscarcity2011@edu-zgis.net
Internet: www.edu-zgis.net/ss/waterscarcity2011
13-19 February 16. Internationale Geodtische Woche
Obergurgl, Tirol, Austria
Info: Dr. Thomas Weinold
Tel.: +43 (0)512 507 6755 or 6757
Fax: +43 (0)512 507 2910
E-mail: geodaetischewoche@uibk.ac.at
Internet: http://geodaesie.uibk.ac.at/obergurg.html
March
03-04 March W2GIS 2011 Web & Wireless Geographical
Information Systems
Kyoto, Japan
E-mail: jcarswell@dit.ie
Internet: www.w2gis.org
07-10 March Esri Developer Summit
Palm Springs, CA, U.S.A.
Internet: www.esri.com/events/devsummit/index.html
10-11 March GeoViz Hamburg 2011: Linking Geovisualization
with Spatial Analysis and Modeling
HafenCity University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
E-mail: geoviz@geomatik-hamburg.de
Internet: www.geomatik-hamburg.de/geoviz
15-18 March GEOFORM+ 2011 - Geodesy, Cartography,
Navigation
EcoCenter Sokolniki, Moscow, Russia
Tel: +7 (495) 925-34-97
Fax: +7 (495) 925-34-97
E-mail: dnJ@mvk.ru
Internet: www.geoexpo.ru
21-24 March SPAR US 2011 Conference
Houston, TX, U.S.A
Tel: +1 (207) 842 5671
E-mail: tgreaves@divcom.com
Internet: www.sparllc.com
23-25 March 1st Conference on Spatial Statistics 2011
Mapping Global Change
University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
Internet: www.spatialstatisticsconference.com
28-31 March CalGIS 2011 - 17th Annual California GIS
Conference
Fresno, CA, U.S.A.
Internet: www.calgis.org
April
05-07 April Ocean Business 2011 - The ocean technology
training and procurement forum
Southampton, U.K.
Internet: www.oceanbusiness.com or www.lidarmap.or
06-07 April Offshore Survey 2011 - Technical Conference
Southampton, U.K.
Internet: www.offshoresurvey.co.uk
06-07 April GEO-11 A World of Geomatics With GIS
Innovations
Holiday Inn, London Elstree, U.K.
E-mail: sharon@pvpubs.demon.co.uk
11-13 April JURSE 2011 - Joint Urban Remote Sensing Event
Munich, Germany
E-mail: jurse2011@bv.tum.de
Internet: www.jurse2011.tum.de
11-13 April EARSeL 7th Workshop of EARSeL Special Interest
Group Imaging Spectroscopy
University of Edinburgh, U.K.
Internet: www.earsel2011.com/Welcome
10-15 April 34th International Symposium on Remote
Sensing of Environment
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia
Internet: www.isrse34.org
18-21 April 14th AGILE International Conference on
Geographic Information Science
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Internet:
www.uu.nl/faculty/geosciences/EN/agile2011/agile2011welcome
/Pages/default.aspx
25-29 April SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing
Orlando, FL, U.S.A.
E-mail: alr@spie.org or
hermann@spieeurope.org
Internet: www.spie.org
May
01-05 May ASPRS 2011 Annual Conference
Midwest Airlines Center/Hyatt Hotel, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.
Internet: www.asprs.org
10-11 May IF&GIS 2011 5th International Workshop on
Information Fusion and Geographical Information Systems:
Towards the Digital Ocean
Brest, France
E-mail: thomas.devogele@ecole-navale.fr
Internet: http://if-gis.com
18-22 May FIG Working Week 'Bridging the Gap between
Cultures'
Marrakech, Morocco
Internet: www.fig.net/fig2011
31 May-01 June 3rd EARSeL Workshop on Remote Sensing in
Education and Training
Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
Internet: www.earsel.org/SIG/ET/3rd-workshop/index.php
30 May-02 June 31st EARSeL Symposium Remote Sensing
and Geoinformation not only for Scientific Cooperation
Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
Internet: www.earsel.org/symposia/2011-symposium-Prague
31 May-02 June AfricaGEO 2011
Capetown International Convention Center, Capetown, South
Africa
E-mail: info@africageo.org
Internet: http://africageo.org
June
01-03 June 4th EARSeL Workshop on Remote Sensing for
Land Use & Land Cover
Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
Internet: www.earsel.org/SIG/LULC/index.php
01-03 June 5th EARSeL Workshop on Remote Sensing of the
Coastal Zone
Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
Internet: www.earsel.org/SIG/CZ/5th-workshop/index.php
02-03 June 1st EARSeL SIG Forestry workshop: Operational
remote sensing in forest management
Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
Internet: www.earsel.org/SIG/Forestry/call.php
19-25 June 11th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geo-
Conference and Expo - SGEM 2011
Albena sea-side and SPA resort, Bulgaria
Internet: www.sgem.org
July
03-08 July ICC 2011 - 25th International Cartographic
Conference
Palais des Congrs, Paris, France
E-mail: regist-icc2011@europa-organisation.com
Internet: www.icc2011.fr
09-12 July Survey Summit
Internet: www.esri.com
11-15 July Esri UC
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Internet: www.esri.com/events/user-conference/index.html
Please feel free to e-mail your calendar notices to:calendar@geoinformatics.com
50
December 2010
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