Aerial triangulation
• Aerial Triangulation (AT) is a process of assigning coordinates to a
sufficient number of points in the photogrammetric models.
• The assigned coordinates are evaluated from existing horizontal and
vertical ground control points (points with known ground
coordinates)
• and from measurements on overlapping aerial photographs.
Aerial triangulation
• The number of these points is determined in a way to ensure that
each image/model can be oriented accurately as required in digital
terrain model (DTM) generation,
• orthophoto production and digital or line mapping.
Aerial triangulation
• Due to its high accuracy potential, aerial triangulation results can also
be used in cadastral and engineering surveys and in geodetic network
densification.
• Aerial triangulation, is performed either with the use of conventional
photography, analytical instruments and methods or with the use of
digital imagery and digital photogrammetric workstations.
Aerial triangulation
• This is where automation (partly) of the process involved can be
achieved.
• In general, aerial photography for mapping projects is usually
vertically in strips, which form blocks.
Aerial triangulation
• In aerial triangulation the overlapping images within a block are tied
together with the use of the so called ‘tie or pass points’
• positioned in the overlapping areas and then the relationship
between images and ground is realised with the help of control points
(points with known ground coordinates).
Aerial triangulation
• Two methods of aerial triangulation have been established, according
to what type of unit is considered when the images are tied up.
• The method of independent models and
• The method of bundles.
Overlapping photos along
a strip to form a model
Aerial triangulation
In either case, the process of A.T. involves the following phases that are
described below:
Preparation
Data Acquisition
Block Adjustment
Preparation
This entails:
General preparation consisting of:
Dividing the air photos by strips, prepare an Index Map
Checking the stereoscopic coverage of the region (overlaps)
Preparing a list of control points
Assigning a unique code to all geodetic controls in the block
Selecting, symbolizing lake points and assign proper code
Preparation
• Selecting, symbolizing the areas on the aerial photographs that are
suitable for the placements of tie points
• Defining a numbering system of tie points
• Collecting camera data
• Preparing the necessary indices and cross reference list that will be
required for the analysis of the block
• Defining desired output and storage media.
Actual preparation:
This entails:
• Selection of tie points
• Marking the film diapositives
• Point transferring
• Identification of control points
Data Acquisition
• During this phase of aerial triangulation, the coordinates of both the
ground control points and the photogrammetric points (tie points) are
measured and recorded in the model and/ or image coordinate
system.
• Analogue instruments or analytical plotters are used at this stage.
Data Acquisition
• In digital photogrammetry, is greatly automated
• In case of Independent Model Triangulation (I.M.T),
• if the models are not formed analytically, the coordinates of the
projection centres have to be measured separately.
• In AT, a model consists of the model points together with the
projection centres.
Block Adjustments
Two methods namely:
• Independent model and
• Bundle Adjustment
Independent Model Block Adjustment (I.M.T)
• After analytical or instrumental relative orientation, the coordinates
of each model point (tie points and control points) as well as the
projection centres are registered.
• These coordinates are defined in an independent spatial, model
coordinates system different for each model.
• The models along and across the strips are joined mathematically via
a spatial conformal transformation applied to the tie points. It is now
evident why the projection centres are used as model points.
Independent Model Block Adjustment (I.M.T)
They prevent a crack between the models along the strips ( x-
direction). See fig. below:
Independent Model Block Adjustment (I.M.T)
Production rates and accuracy aspects
• Preparation : 1.0 hr/ model
• Observations : ¾ hr/model
Expected accuracy
- planimetry : 10-20 microns at photo scale
- height : 0.1‰ Z - 0.2 ‰ Z (Z = flying height above mean terrain)
Distribution of tie points
• The typical distribution of tie points is 9 points in the standard image
positions.
• These 9 standard image positions are also known as von Gruber
positions.
• The tie points are established at the preparation phase of aerial
triangulation where the following operation steps are made:
Distribution of tie points
• Selection of tie points
• Marking the film diapositives. This manner provides an
unambiguous and permanent identification for the tie points that
were selected (conventional method only)
• Point transfer: under stereoscopic observation the tie points are
transferred to the adjacent photos usually with the use of special
devices (conventional method only
Distribution of ground control points
• The ground control points are usually distinguished in planimetric
control points with known x, and y coordinate and in height with
known z coordinate.
• It has been conclusively shown that planimetric control points within
the block provide no significant improvement in the planimetric
accuracy of the block.
Distribution of ground control points
• Planimetric control points are distributed along the perimeter.
• The height control points form chains of controls in a direction
perpendicular to strips.
• The distance between points is referred to as bridging distance and is
measured as a multiple of base lengths.
Advantages of aerial triangulation over field
surveying are:
• Most of the work is done under laboratory conditions hence delays
and hardships due to adverse weather conditions are minimized
• Access to much of the property within a project area is not required
• Field surveying in difficult areas such as marshes, extreme slopes,
hazardous rock formations, etc., can be minimized and
• The accuracy of field-surveyed control necessary for bridging is
verified during the A.T. process and as a result chances of finding
erroneous control values after compilation has begun are minimized
and usually eliminated.
Advantages of aerial triangulation over field
surveying are:
• The accuracy of field-surveyed control necessary for bridging is
verified during the A.T. process,
• and as a result chances of finding erroneous control values after
compilation has begun are minimized and usually eliminated.
Uses of Aerial Triangulation and Block
Adjustment
• For processing stereo images in a block, aerial triangulation provides
XYZ of the ‘tie/pass points’
• Object points may be (Types of Control Points): - signalised control
points - signalised points of interest (unusual) - natural points -
artificial points (e.g. ‘pugged’ tie/pass points)
• he main advantage of aerial triangulation/block adjustment comes
when there are a large number of ground point determinations
required (e.g. 100s to 1000s of points)
Main uses for object point positioning
• Bridging (ground control densification for subsequent
photogrammetric operations e.g. plotting topographic maps)
• Locating section corners and property corners (cadastral surveying)
• DTM generation by computing X, Y and Z of a systematic network of
points in an area.
• Other applications are monitoring of dam movements at various time
intervals by determining ground coordinates of such structures at
various time intervals (ground deformation monitoring).
• Engineering and urban surveys, etc
Arial Triangulation
Compiled by: Richie B. Muheya.
MSc. Geoinformatics (Holland)
MSc. Leadership and Change Management (UK)
HNDip. GIS (UK)
