Overview of USGS Calibration Activities

1. Overview of USGS Calibration Activities U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

2. ASPRS Camera Calibration Study • Panel study completed in 1999 • Study findings and recommendations: • Standards development inherently governmental • USGS should continue camera calibration • USGS should develop methods for digital sensors ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

3. Analog camera calibration upgrades • Analog calibrations performed on custom-built colliminator instrument since 1973 • Over 100 analog calibrations per year • Modified to accommodate super-wide angle lenses • Lighting and electronics upgrade 2003 • Evaluating alternatives for Kodak glass plates • Will keep present analog calibration process operational for the foreseeable future ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

4. Interim Digital Capabilities • Contract awarded to Pictometry to develop and build a laboratory calibration capability for small format digital cameras • System delivered and operational at EROS Nat • Calibration based on “cage”, Australis software, and the SMAC model • Calibrations being performed on research basis ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

5. OSU In-situ Calibration Study • Grant awarded to OSU in 2003 to develop software to perform in-situ calibration • In-situ range established in cooperation with Ohio DOT • Software delivered in 2004 and being tested • Currently testing in-situ calibration methods • Need to establish standards for in-situ sites and policy for in-situ calibrations ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

6. JACIE Activities • Joint efforts by NASA, NGA, and USGS to perform characterization of commercial satellite products • Space Imaging, Digital Globe, and Orbimage • Annual JACIE Workshops to report system performance and applications by government, academia, vendors, and users ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

7. Extension of Stennis Test Site for Product Characterizations • Stennis test range enhanced for airborne platforms and digital cameras • Cooperative agreement with NASA to perform characterization of digital orthophoto products • Geopositional accuracy and spatial resolution determination • Acceptance letter and final report provided to vendor and posted on USGS Web site ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

8. IADIWG Formation • Inter-agency Digital Image Working Group established by BOR, BLM, COE, FSA, FWS, NIST, NGA, NOAA, NRCS, USFS, and USGS • Kickoff meeting held and charter being drafted • “Broiler-plate” specifications, guidelines, and standards for digital image acquisition being drafted • Host workshop to review initial draft • Final draft by October 2005 and presented at ASPRS Pecora 16 ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

9. Next steps • Work with camera manufacturers to review and approval factory calibration methods • Work with data providers on camera acceptance process and quality control guidelines • Establish new policies on camera calibration for the United States • Work with International groups • Extend characterization methods to LIDAR and other sensors ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

10. Long-range Plans • Evolve camera calibration, product characterization and quality checking into a quality assurance program for The National Map and USGS partners ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

11. Proposal for PAD • Test in-situ calibration methods with DOTs • ODOT working with OSU • Florida has flown over Stennis test range • Seeking other interested participants with their own test and a need for camera calibration • Report findings at next PAD meeting • Long-range goal: to allow in-situ calibration as an alternative ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland

12. Web site and contacts: • See http://calval.cr.usgs.gov • Greg Stensaas, 605-594-2569, stensaas@usgs.gov • George Lee, 650-329-4255, gylee@usgs.gov ASPRS 2005 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland