Lever arm calculating algorithm for efficient and precise vector determinations

Abstract

In the orthophoto processing one of the key steps is the aerial triangulation during which the external orientation coefficients of the photographs are determined by adjustment. In order to be able to do this with sufficient accuracy, in addition to knowing the internal orientation elements of the cameras, we need the eccentricity vectors of the GNSS antennas, IMU and sensors determined in relation to each other, i.e. the lever arms. Characteristic points of the airplane and the installed instruments are measured using engineering geodesic method, while vectors are traditionally determined using a geometric technique.

In the orthophoto processing one of the key steps is the aerial triangulation during which the external orientation coefficients of the photographs are determined by adjustment. In order to be able to do this with sufficient accuracy, in addition to knowing the internal orientation elements of the cameras, we need the eccentricity vectors of the GNSS antennas, IMU and sensors determined in relation to each other, i.e. the lever arms. Characteristic points of the airplane and the installed instruments are measured using engineering geodesic method, while vectors are traditionally determined using a geometric technique.