Case Study: Source Data Accuracy Assessments

In the area of sensors, Observera has on-going evaluation work for customers that involves accuracy and quality assessments of satellite and airborne imagery systems.  These have included QuickBird, OrbView-3, EROS-A, SPOT-5, WorldView, TerraSAR-X, RADARSAT-2, and COSMO-SkyMed imagery.  We have also conducted evaluations of digital elevation models for several activities, including the GEOSAR X-band and foliage penetrating P-band data sets, DEM merge and mosaicking algorithms, and various satellite-derived data sets.  Our philosophy in accuracy assessments is to both provide key metrics to the sponsors and lend our photogrammetric expertise to the interpretation of the numbers, so that improvements can be effected.  We are continually updating our geolocation accuracy evaluation procedures and methodologies and have recently included new capabilities for evaluating imagery Ground Sample Distance and stereo collection angles.